Needle roller bearings are bearings with cylindrical rollers that are small in diameter relative to their length. The modified roller/raceway profile prevents stress peaks to extend bearing service life.

SKF supplies needle roller bearings in many different designs, series and in a wide range of sizes, which makes them appropriate for a wide variety of operating conditions and applications.

Most rolling-element bearings are either ball or roller bearings. The roller bearing family consists basically of cylindrical, tapered, spherical, and needle bearings. Needle roller bearings are the smallest and lightest of the roller bearing family. That gives them specific advantages for certain applications, particularly those requiring reduced weight and space. The high roller length-to-diameter ratio helped give the bearings their name as well as their operating characteristics. Essentially, needle roller bearings have:
Higher load capacity than single-row ball or roller bearings of comparable OD. The ability to handle a larger, more rigid shaft in a given application. Excellent rolling characteristics within a small cross section.Generally lower cost, especially for the drawn-cup type compared with machined versions.