6003-ZZ bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 6003-ZZ is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 17 x 35 x 10 mm (bore x OD x width) with ZZ sealing. Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 17 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 35 mm |
| Width B | 10 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | ZZ |
| Internal clearance | CN / C3 available |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 6.37 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 3.25 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 0.137 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 45000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 22000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -30 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 41 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 6003-2Z |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) |
| Last verified | 2026-09-25 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018)) · extracted 2026-09-24
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 & 6000-series range
| Bore d | 0.669 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 1.378 in |
| Width B | 0.394 in |
| ISO bore code | 03 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 9 mm |
| Smallest bore in 6000-series | 4 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 6000-series | 1150 mm |
| Width range across 6000-series | 4–155 mm |
| Bore position in 6000-series (smallest first) | 10 of 61 |
| Bore above smallest 6000-series size | 13 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6003-2RS-FAG | FAG | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 17×35×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (ZZ vs 2RS) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6003-FAG | FAG | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 17×35×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (ZZ vs OPEN) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6003-ZZ-FAG | FAG | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Identical ISO 15 envelope, seal and ratings band — standard interchange; re-verify precision class and clearance per supplier. |
| 6003 | ISO 15 | verify Commonly quoted cross reference; confirm against the target catalog before ordering. | ISO 15 boundary-dimension envelope; seal suffix convention varies by brand (2RS / DDU / LLU / 2RSR) — verify seal design and temperature range before substituting. |
| 6003-2RS-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 17×35×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (ZZ vs 2RS) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6003-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 17×35×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (ZZ vs OPEN) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6003-RSR-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 17×35×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (ZZ vs RSR) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6003-ZZ-NSK | NSK | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Identical ISO 15 envelope, seal and ratings band — standard interchange; re-verify precision class and clearance per supplier. |
| W6003-2RS | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF stainless execution W 6003-2RS1 shares the 17×35×10 mm envelope but rates differently (6.37/3.25 kN vs 4.94/3.15 kN) — not a load-rating equivalent. |
| W6003-ZZ | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF stainless execution W 6003-2Z shares the 17×35×10 mm envelope but rates differently (6.37/3.25 kN vs 4.94/3.15 kN) — not a load-rating equivalent. |
| W6003 | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF stainless execution W 6003 shares the 17×35×10 mm envelope but rates differently (6.37/3.25 kN vs 4.94/3.15 kN) — not a load-rating equivalent. |
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 6003-ZZ model number is decoded
6003-ZZ carries two non-contact sheet-steel shields that hold the factory grease in and keep coarse debris out; they do not seal against liquids. Within the extra-light 60xx section (diameter series 0 of ISO 15), its bore code 03 comes from the 10/12/15/17 mm exception table, giving a 17 mm bore; the 35 mm outside diameter and 10 mm width follow the same boundary-dimension plan. For a rotating inner ring on a 17 mm shaft under normal load, catalogue practice seats it on a j5 shaft fit with an H7 housing bore — confirm against the actual load direction and magnitude before committing. SKF's own suffix is 2Z (this page's industry-neutral spelling is -ZZ); catalogue number 6003-2Z.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- instrument drives
- fractional-horsepower electric motors
- domestic appliances
- power tools
Known failure patterns
- fine-particle abrasion when non-contact shields let dust past in dirty duty
- grease aging in the shield-for-life cavity with no relubrication path
- rolling-contact fatigue spalling after the rated L10 life is exceeded
- brinelling from static overload or hammering during mounting
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Miniature bearings like 6003-ZZ (17 mm bore) brinell under surprisingly small pressing force; use a fitting sleeve on the ring being mounted and never let the assembly load cross the balls.
- The 60xx extra-light section at 17 mm bore uses a smaller 35 mm OD than a 6203; load ratings are lower, so do not replace a failed 62-series bearing with a 60-series without re-rating the load.
- Do not wash 6003-ZZ in solvent before mounting: the grease inside the shielded cavity is the service fill, and solvent creeping past the shield gap strips it out.
- Shielded 6003-ZZ units are typically greased for life; prying the shields out for regreasing usually bends them and leaves a gap that throws grease in service.
- Deep-groove ball bearings tolerate only minutes of misalignment; if the 35 mm housing cannot be aligned, switch to a self-aligning type rather than shimming 6003-ZZ.
- Vibration during standstill brinells the raceways of a 17 mm bearing at ball spacing; if the machine sits idle next to running equipment, turn the shaft over periodically or isolate the arrangement.
- SKF spells the shielded version 6003-2Z (one shield: 6003-Z), not "-ZZ": the suffix language differs by brand even though the ISO envelope is identical, so quote the brand designation when ordering.
- The single-shield execution 6003-Z is a distinct order number in catalogue 17000: it suits open gears or oil-bath arrangements where the unshielded face faces the lubricant, and it is not interchangeable with the double-shield 6003-2Z for high-contamination positions.
- The 6.37/3.25 kN ratings here are SKF Explorer-class figures from catalogue PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018); SKF can revise internal geometry and ratings without changing the designation, so treat the catalogue version and date as part of the specification and re-verify for critical drives.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a 6003-ZZ bearing?
A 6003-ZZ deep-groove ball bearing has a 17 mm bore, 35 mm outer diameter and 10 mm width (0.669 × 1.378 × 0.394 in), per ISO 15 boundary dimensions. It is fitted with two non-contact metallic shields.
What does the ZZ suffix on 6003-ZZ mean?
ZZ means two non-contact sheet-metal shields, one each side. They retain factory grease and block coarse particles with little friction, but do not seal against liquids, fine dust or pressure washing.
How does the 6000 compare with other series at the same 17 mm bore?
The second digit is the diameter series: 60 is the smallest standard section (35×10 mm, 9.0 mm radial section) at 17 mm bore — below 62/63/64 in load capacity, for light loads in compact spaces.
Are 6003 bearings from different brands interchangeable?
For boundary dimensions, yes: every brand's 6003 uses the same ISO 15 envelope (17×35×10 mm). Load ratings, limiting speeds, clearance, precision class and sealing design can differ, so verify those in the supplier catalogue when substituting. Seal suffixes also differ by brand (2RS, DDU, LLU, 2RSL and similar).
What is the SKF designation and catalogue data for 6003-ZZ?
In the SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue this size is listed as 6003-2Z — two non-contact sheet-metal shields, 17×35×10 mm per ISO 15. Quoted values: C 6.37 kN, C0 3.25 kN, Pu 0.137 kN, limiting speed 22000 r/min, mass 41 g. Brand suffixes (2Z, 2RSH, 2RSL) differ from the industry-neutral spelling 6003-ZZ.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) on 2026-09-25. Read our editorial & correction policy.