Heat transfer through curvilinear partitions differs, in mathematical terms, from transfer through flat ones. However, in practical calculations, an approximation is commonly used by estimating heat loss by analogy to flat partitions. There are no studies in the literature related to an exact quantitative analysis of heat loss through curvilinear partitions. The aim of the article is a comparative analysis of the computational heat loss determined for layered cylindrical and spherical partitions determined by the exact and the approximate methods. The percentage discrepancy of results was determined. Relevant computational examples were analysed. It was found that in most cases the above approximation does not lead to significant inaccuracies if the basis for calculating the heat transferring surface area is the mean radius of curvature of the partition.