Employing finite element analysis, three dimensional partial slip fretting contacts have been analyzed. Contact configuration chosen is cylindrical pad with and without edge fillet on flat specimen of same width/depth. Geometrical dimensions for the model are selected large enough to avoid any influence of boundary conditions on the results. Special techniques are adopted for meshing the geometry to yield fine mesh at the contact interface and even more refined mesh towards the free surface where stress gradients are maximum, simultaneously keeping the total node count manageable. Loading scheme is selected to involve both tangential loading and bulk stress effects in addition to normal load. For the case of cylinder without fillet on flat, a reduction in normal and shear tractions along with a reduction in stick length is observed as the free surface is approached, displaying a characteristic racetrack pattern of traction distribution resulting in similar wear pattern. Whereas in the case of filleted cylinder contacting flat specimen, the traction values rise significantly as the contact region at filleted edge is approached. It is shown in this analysis that for contacting members with same width/depth, it is better to keep the end edge without any kind of filleting in order to keep the induced tractions and stresses at lower values. The characteristic racetrack pattern at the interface, typical of cylindrical contacts without fillet is not as prominent in the case of cylinder with an edge fillet contacting the flat specimen. © 2011, Advanced Engineering Solutions.