Cylindrical Roller Bearings are bearing in which cylinders are used as the rolling elements as opposed to balls in ball bearings. As such, the rollers have a greater (linear) contact area with the outer ring and are distribute loads across a broader surface. Subsequently, they have a relatively high radial load capacity and are suitable for high speeds. Double-row cylindrical roller bearings have high radial rigidity and are used primarily for precision machine tools.

Depending on the series as defined below a number of cylindrical roller bearings have no ribs on either the inner or outer ring, so the rings can move axially relative to each other which can be used as free-end bearings.