Circular model was incorporated into generalized Reynolds equation by effective viscosity and then governing equations of inlet dimple under elastohydrodynamic lubrication point contacts were established.Numerical simulation was finished by using multilevel method as well as multilevel multiintegration method.The variation of the inlet dimple subjected to the entrainment velocity was investigated and the effects of the applied load,the viscosity,the viscositypressure coefficient,the radius of the steel ball as well as the elastic modulus on the speed scope of the inlet dimple were further discussed.The gained conclusions are listed as follows.The dimple depth clearly experiences an increase from zero to its maximum value and then a decrease to zero with the increase of the entrainment velocity.The entrainment velocity corresponding to the appearance of the inlet dimple is decreased with the increase of the applied load,the viscosity,the viscositypressure coefficient as well as the elastic modulus while it is increased with the increase of the radius of the steel ball.The entrainment velocity corresponding to the disappearance of the inlet dimple as well as the speed scope of the inlet dimple is increased with the increase of the applied load as well as the radius of the steel ball while they are decreased with the increase of the viscosity,the viscositypressure coefficient as well as the elastic modulus.