NTN cylindrical roller bearings feature line contact between the rollers and raceways. They possess high load-carrying capacity, primarily designed to withstand radial loads. The minimal friction between the rolling elements and the flanges of the rings makes them suitable for high-speed rotation. Based on the presence or absence of flanges on the rings, these bearings are categorised as single-row cylindrical roller bearings (e.g., NU, NJ, NUP, N, NF) and double-row cylindrical roller bearings (e.g., NNU, NN). This bearing features a separable inner and outer ring structure.

Cylindrical roller bearings without flanges on either the inner or outer ring permit axial relative movement between the inner and outer rings, enabling their use as non-locating bearings. Cylindrical roller bearings featuring double flanges on one side of the inner and outer rings, with a single flange on the opposite side, can withstand axial loads in one direction to a certain extent. Typically, stamped steel cages or solid copper alloy cages are employed. However, some utilise moulded polyamide cages.