A calculation method combining the method of separation of variables (MSV) for laminar boundary-layer equations and the analytical solution of Reynolds equation was proposed to study the discharge coefficients of aerostatic bearings. The discharge coefficients were obtained by comparing the mass flow rate obtained by the laminar boundary-layer equations and by Reynolds equation. The bearing capacity from solution of Reynolds equation with the discharge coefficient at the constant 0.8 and laminar boundary-layer equations solved by MSV was studied comparatively. Results showed that the maximum precision of the bearing capacity obtained by the Reynolds equation with the discharge coefficient in this calculation was increased 8% than the bearing capacity from the Reynolds equation with discharge coefficient of 0.8

comparing with the results calculated by MSV. It means that the discharge coefficient is suitable and valid for solution of Reynolds equation.