Bearing Interchange & Cross-Reference Guide

Deep-groove ball bearing part numbers look manufacturer-specific, but for the standard 60xx/62xx/63xx series the boundary dimensions are set by ISO 15 — every major maker builds to the same bore/OD/width, so a bearing from one brand almost always has a direct, documented equivalent from another. This guide explains how to read the designation and find the equivalent.

Why bearings interchange across brands

Standard deep-groove ball bearings (the 60xx, 62xx, and 63xx series) are built to ISO 15 boundary dimensions — bore, outside diameter, and width are standardized industry-wide, regardless of manufacturer. A 6205 from SKF and a 6205 from FAG have the same bore (25 mm), OD (52 mm), and width (15 mm) by definition. The base number (e.g. 6205) is not brand-specific; every major bearing maker publishes an equivalent under that same base number, with their own suffix for seal/shield type.

How to read the closure suffix

The letters after the base number describe the seal or shield configuration, and each manufacturer has its own suffix convention for the same physical feature:

Feature	SKF	FAG	NSK	NTN	Koyo
Open (no seal/shield)	`6205`	`6205`	`6205`	`6205`	`6205`
Rubber seal, both sides	`6205-2RS1`	`6205-2RSR`	`6205DDU`	`6205LLU`	`6205-2RS`
Metal shield, both sides	`6205-2Z`	`6205-2ZR`	`6205ZZ`	`6205ZZ`	`6205ZZ`

This table covers the standard closure equivalence for the 60xx/62xx/63xx open, -2RS(1), and -ZZ/-2Z variants — the cases where the equivalence is a published, mechanical fact. Clearance-class suffixes (C3, C4), cage material codes, and specialty/sealed-for-life variants are not covered here; confirm those with our order desk before ordering an exact substitute.

Finding the equivalent for a part you already have

Take the base number off the part you have (drop any prefix/suffix that isn't the four-digit base) and match it against the table above by closure type. Every product page for a bearing we carry with documented interchange data lists its cross-references directly — search the part number in our catalog, or the base number if you're not sure of the brand.

Live examples from our catalog

These are currently listed products with published interchange data attached — open one to see its full cross-reference table.

6202 — SKF 6202 Deep Groove Ball Bearing 15x35x11mm (4 cross-referenced designations)
6202 — 6202 Deep groove ball bearing (4 cross-referenced designations)
6002-2RS — SKF 6002-2RS Deep Groove Ball Bearing 15x32x9mm (5 cross-referenced designations)
6205-2RS — SKF 6205-2RS Deep Groove Ball Bearing 25x52x15mm (5 cross-referenced designations)
6316 — 6316 Deep groove ball bearing (4 cross-referenced designations)
6371 — 6371 Radial shaft seal with metal case and SKF Wave lip, for oil or grease (4 cross-referenced designations)

Frequently asked questions

Is a 6205 bearing the same regardless of brand?

The boundary dimensions (25mm bore, 52mm OD, 15mm width) are standardized by ISO 15 and identical across major manufacturers. Load ratings, materials, and precision can still vary slightly by maker — for a critical application, match the full designation including any clearance-class suffix, not just the base number.

What does the "-2RS" suffix mean on a bearing?

It indicates a rubber contact seal on both sides of the bearing, which keeps contaminants out and grease in. "-ZZ" or "-2Z" indicates a metal shield on both sides instead — less sealing, lower friction. Manufacturers use different letter codes for the same feature (see the table above).

Can KKM Solutions source a bearing even if it is not listed on the site yet?

Yes — email the part number and quantity to orderdesk@kkmsolutions.com. We source to exact manufacturer specification per order; a part not being listed yet does not mean it is unavailable.

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