Various methods for calculating the capacitance of unloaded rolling elements are compared to improve the electric characterization of rolling element bearings. Semi-analytical approximations and finite element simulations are applied and a closed-form analytical two-dimensional solution is derived for comparison. The results show that the most common semi-analytical approximation, which uses effective radii to express the contact geometry, reproduces the trend from numerical and analytical calculations, but overestimates the results derived from numerical simulations. Another semi-analytical approach is presented that delivers better results for the capacitance of unloaded point contacts. •Comparison of possible methods to calculate the capacitance of unloaded rolling elements: semi-analytical and numerical methods.•Derivation of an analytic 2D formula for calculating the capacitance per length unit of an unloaded ball-raceway contact.•Comparison of multiple interpretations of the semi-analytical capacitance calculation.•Including the rim area aside of the groove into the capacitance calculation.