The common classification is that according to the direction of load they withstand or the nominal contact angle, the rolling bearings are divided into radial bearings and thrust bearings. Radial bearings refer to rolling bearings designed to support primarily radial load, with a nominal contact angle of 0°≤α ≤ 45°. According to the different nominal contact angles, they are further divided into radial contact bearings (radial bearings with a nominal contact angle of 0°) and angular contact radial bearings (radial bearings with a nominal contact angle of 0°<α ≤ 45°); Thrust bearings refer to rolling bearings designed to support primarily axial load, with a nominal contact angle of 45°<α ≤ 90°. Depending on the nominal contact angle, they are further divided into axial contact bearings (thrust bearings with a nominal contact angle of 90°) and angular contact thrust bearings (thrust bearings with a nominal contact angle of 45°<α<90°).

By structural types, Other common classifications include: ball bearings and roller bearings based on the type of rolling elements; According to whether they can be self-aligning, they are divided into self-aligning bearings and non self-aligning bearings; According to the number of rolling element rows, they are divided into single-row bearings, double-row bearings, and multi-row bearings; According to the presence or absence of seals or shields, they are divided into open bearings and capped bearings; According to whether the components can be separated, they are divided into separable bearings and non-separable bearings.

In addition, rolling bearings can be classified into various types based on their structural shape (such as whether having an outer ring, whether having a cage, whether having a filling slot, the shape of the ring, and the structure of the rib), which will not be elaborated on one by one.