Elastohydrodynamic oil film measurements for rolling point contact under starvation conditions are obtained using optical interferometry. Consideration of the measurement requirements and the requirements for good fringe visibility has led to the design of a duochromatic interferometric system. A calibration procedure provides the absolute thickness corresponding to each fringe and elucidates the effects of phase change on reflection. The experimental measurements present a reasonably clear picture of the starvation phenomenon. Film thickness is determined by the pressure generated in the inlet region. A starved inlet region inhibits the generation of this pressure and, therefore, reduces the film thickness. 1t also causes the overall pressure, stress and elastic deformation to become more Hertzian. The experimental film thickness measurements under starved as well as flooded conditions are shown to agree with theoretical predictions based on Grubin assumptions. The results correlate with characteristic dimensions which describe the degree of starvation in the inlet region. These are used to predict the onset of starvation and are incorporated in a theoretical film thickness formula which enables film thickness under starvation conditions to be predicted. Additional experiments with interferometry illustrates: the effect of ball spin, edge effects in line contact, oil entrapment under 'rolling-normal approach' conditions, the behaviour of greases under elastohydrodynamic conditions, and cavitation and its influence on the inlet region.