"The face load factor KH?? which in rating equations represents the load distribution over the common face width in meshing gears@ is one of the most important items for a gear strength calculation. In the international standard for cylindrical gear rating@ the ISO 6336-1 [1]@ using method C@ some formulas are proposed to get a value for this factor. But as the formulas are simplified@ the result is often not very realistic. Also AGMA 2001 (or AGMA 2101) [2] proposes a formula for KH?? different from ISO 6336@ but again not always appropriate. Therefore a note in AGMA stipulates@ that ""it may be desirable to use an analytical approach to determine the load distribution factor"". In the last edition of ISO 6336 (2006)@ a new annex E was added: ""Analytical determination of load distribution"". This annex is entirely based on AGMA 927-A01 [3]. It is a well-documented procedure to get a direct and precise number for the face load factor. Today an increasing number of gear designers are using tooth contact analysis (TCA) methods [4] to get precise information over the load distribution on the full gear flank. Contact analysis is very time consuming and does not permit to get a value for KH?? as defined by the ISO or AGMA standard. A contact analysis result combines different factors of ISO 6336 as KH?? KH??@ Z?? Z?? ZB@ ZD and buttressing effects@ etc.@ thus to ??extract' KH??from a TCA is not possible. The use of the algorithm@ as proposed by AGMA 927@ is a good solution to get proper values for KH?? it is simpler and therefore much quicker than a contact analysis calculation. The paper explains how this algorithm can be applied for classic gear pair rating procedure@ for ratings with complex duty cycles and even for planetary systems with interdependent meshings between sun@ all planets and ring."