Cylindrical roller bearings have a high radial load capacity because the rollers and raceway are in linear contact, and they are suitable for applications that provide heavy radial and impact loads.

Cylindrical roller bearings are similar to ball bearings, but rather than a spherical rolling element, they feature cylinders that have a slightly greater length than diameter. The cylinders are usually guided by flanges on the inner and outer ring, with a cage to keep them.