Angular contact tapered roller bearings are engineered to withstand combined radial and axial loads concurrently. The bearing's ability to handle axial loads depends largely on the taper angle of the outer ring raceway, known as the contact angle. Increasing the contact angle enhances the bearing's axial load capacity while decreasing its radial load capacity and permissible rotation speed. Angular contact tapered roller bearings cannot tolerate even slight shaft misalignment relative to the housing.

These bearings are available in single-row configurations, accommodating axial loads in one direction, as well as double-row and four-row designs, accommodating axial loads in both directions. Single-row bearings can be supplied in matched pairs with intermediate rings to ensure the required clearance. In general engineering applications, single-row bearings are most common, while double-row and four-row bearings find use in heavy machinery. The split design of angular contact tapered roller bearings facilitates their installation.

Manufactured with pressed steel cages, large-size bearings feature robust cages crafted from steel or brass. For specialized applications, cages made of glass fiber-reinforced polyamide can be provided.