A spherical roller bearing is a type of roller bearing device that reduces friction between moving parts and supports high radial loads and axial (thrust) loads in both directions. A spherical roller bearing is intended for applications where severe misalignment occurs from either mounting or shaft deflection.Spherical roller bearings have two rows of symmetrical rollers, a common sphered outer ring raceway and two inner ring raceways inclined at an angle to the bearing axis . The centre point of the sphere in the outer ring raceway is at the bearing axis.

Spherical roller thrust bearings have specially designed raceways and asymmetrical rollers. The bearings can accommodate axial loads acting in one direction and simultaneously acting radial loads. The load is transmitted between the raceways via the rollers at an angle to the bearing axis, while the flange guides the rollers.