The effect of recess size on the pressure, flow and power requirements of several hydrostatic bearing configurations is described in terms of dimensionless coefficients called performance factors. Performance factors are determined analytically for a circular hydrostatic thrust bearing with a circular recess (for which there is a known solution), compared graphically with the electric analog solutions for this bearing and found to be in excellent agreement. The electric analog approach is also used to determine the performance factors of several other bearing configurations for which there are no known solutions. These data are presented in the form of dimensionless curves. It was found that for a given bearing configuration, there is a particular recess size which will give minimum supply pump power. Where limiting factors, such as, pump output pressure and/or flow do not dominate, it is suggested that bearings be designed to operate at the minimum pump power point.Presented at American Society of Lubrication Engineers Annual Meeting, held in Cleveland, April, 1958.