Temperature variations in the hot roll during a hot rolling process were analysed by solving heat conduction equations for boundary conditions using an analytical method. The analysis was conducted in a steady‐state regime, taking into account the effects of process parameters such as the contact surface, roll velocity and various cooling boundary conditions. Assuming the periodicity of the process, the development of a solution in the Fourier series was employed to solve the governing equations. The temperature and its gradient distributions in the roll depth were analytically expressed according to the process parameters. The accuracy of the predicted results was examined through comparison with predictions presented in the literature (finite element solutions and measurements). Results showed that an increase in the rolling speed leads to a shorter contact time, which decreases the temperature field in the work‐roll.