16101 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 16101 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 12 x 30 x 8 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 12 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 30 mm |
| Width B | 8 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 5.07 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 2.36 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 0.1 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 60000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 38000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 26 g |
| Manufacturer designation | 16101 |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) |
| Last verified | 2026-09-27 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018)) · extracted 2026-09-27
Parameters extracted from the official SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018)); SKF® and SKF Explorer® are trademarks of AB SKF, used here for identification only — mpnbase is not an authorized SKF distributor. Boundary dimensions are ISO 15 interchangeable; current production values may differ, verify at skf.com.
Dimensions in inches & 16100-series range
| Bore d | 0.472 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 1.181 in |
| Width B | 0.315 in |
| ISO bore code | 01 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 9 mm |
| Smallest bore in 16100-series | 10 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 16100-series | 30 mm |
| Width range across 16100-series | 8–8 mm |
| Bore position in 16100-series (smallest first) | 2 of 2 |
| Bore above smallest 16100-series size | 2 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16101-2RS | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 12×30×8 mm envelope and equivalent catalogue ratings; 16101-2RS1 is the two contact elastomer seals execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only the seal/shield/cage execution differs. |
| 16101-ZZ | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 12×30×8 mm envelope and equivalent catalogue ratings; 16101-2Z is the two non-contact shields execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only the seal/shield/cage execution differs. |
Interchange levels: full standard interchange · partial verify parameters · verify manual confirmation required. Links resolve to the equivalent model's specification page where available.
How the 16101 model number is decoded
The 16100-series is SKF's extra-narrow large-OD deep-groove section; bore code 01 follows the 10/12/15/17 mm exception table, so 16101 fits a 12 mm shaft. The envelope is 12×30×8 mm (0.472×1.181×0.315 in) with a 9.0 mm radial section height, C 5.07 kN, C0 2.36 kN and Pu 0.1 kN. The open 16101 carries no shields or seals and relies on application lubrication and external sealing. Limiting speed 38000 r/min, catalogue mass 26 g. A thin section saves space but leaves little margin for misalignment or shaft deflection.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- slew and indexing drives
- industrial electric motors
- gearboxes and speed reducers
- centrifugal and positive-displacement pumps
Known failure patterns
- contamination wear when the open arrangement is used without external seals
- lubricant starvation where no regreasing interval is maintained
- cage damage from running beyond the limiting speed
- raceway smearing under marginal lubrication at start-up
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Clearance suffixes follow the seal code in the designation stack (e.g. 16101-2Z/C3 in SKF spelling); no suffix means normal CN internal clearance.
- Deep-groove geometry tolerates only minutes of misalignment; if the 30 mm housing bore cannot be aligned, move to a self-aligning bearing rather than shimming 16101.
- Open 16101 needs external sealing at the arrangement level; in dusty housings its life depends entirely on those external seals and the regreasing schedule.
- Plan a relubrication interval for 16101; run-to-failure on open deep-groove bearings is the dominant early-failure cause.
- Mount by heating the inner ring (max 120 °C) — driving 16101 home through the outer ring or balls brinells the raceways.
- The fatigue load limit is 0.1 kN; it feeds the equivalent-mean-load check, not the basic life calculation — do not substitute one for the other.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of 16101?
The SKF 16101 measures 12 mm bore × 30 mm OD × 8 mm width (0.472 × 1.181 × 0.315 in), mass about 26 g. It is open, with no shields or seals.
How does the bore code in 16101 work?
Codes 00–03 follow the exception table (10, 12, 15, 17 mm): 16101 fits a 12 mm shaft. Code × 5 starts at code 04.
Which fits should I use for 16101?
With a rotating inner ring use roughly j5/k5 on the shaft and H7 in the 30 mm housing; reverse the interference if the outer ring rotates.
How heavy is 16101?
Catalogue mass is 26 g for 16101; seal and cage executions of the same envelope differ by a few grams.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) on 2026-09-27. Read our editorial & correction policy.