Bearings

A bearing catalog number packs several facts into one string, and reading it correctly is most of the work of ordering the right replacement.

Reading the number

The digits give the series and bore; the letters after them give sealing, clearance and cage. In a 6205-2RS1, the 62 series is a deep-groove ball bearing, 05 is a 25 mm bore (bore codes from 04 upward are the code multiplied by five), and 2RS1 means a contact seal on both sides. Other makers write the same seal differently: 2RSR at FAG, DDU at NSK, LLU at NTN, and 2RS at Koyo and many others.

What has to match

Bore, outside diameter and width decide whether the part physically fits; a 6205 measures 25 x 52 x 15 mm. They do not decide whether it performs the same. Compare the seal or shield, internal clearance (C3 is looser than normal and is common in electric motors), cage material, tolerance class and grease before treating two numbers as equivalent.

When the number is worn off

Measure the bore, outside diameter and width in millimetres, and note whether the bearing is open, shielded or sealed. Those three measurements usually narrow the field to a handful of candidates. Send us what you have; we ask before we quote rather than guess.

What to have ready

• The full number as stamped, including any prefix and suffix letters
• Bore, outside diameter and width if the number is unreadable
• Open, shielded (Z, ZZ) or sealed (RS, DDU, LLU)
• Where it runs: electric motor, gearbox, conveyor, pump or spindle
• Quantity, and whether a specific brand is required

Related guides and tools

• Guide: Bearing Interchange Guide
• Guide: Mounted Bearing & Pillow Block Guide
• Tool: Bearing Interchange Lookup
• Tool: Bearing Selector
• Tool: Bearing Life Calculator

Not sure which one you have? Send us the number, a nameplate photo or the dimensions and the order desk replies within 1 business day.