The load capacity and power loss of spiral groove bearings, lubricated with a Newtonian, incompressible liquid with a viscosity depending on temperature only, are determined by solving the continuity and momentum equations analytically and the energy equation for the grooves and ridges numerically. It is assumed that the total flow perpendicular to the relative velocity of the bearing parts is zero. This implies that the generated heat is discharged by conduction to the bearing parts only. The effect of the “thermal entrance region” is investigated.Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASLE/ASME Lubrication Conference held in Houston, Texas, October 14–16, 1969