6003 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 6003 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 17 x 35 x 10 mm (bore x OD x width). 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 | open |
| 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) | 28000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +150 °C |
| Mass | 38 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 6003 |
| 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 (OPEN vs 2RS) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6003-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-ZZ-FAG | FAG | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 17×35×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (OPEN vs ZZ) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6003 | ISO 15 | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | ISO 15 boundary-dimension envelope; standard interchange — confirm clearance class and precision with the supplier. |
| 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 (OPEN vs 2RS) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6003-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. |
| 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 (OPEN vs RSR) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6003-ZZ-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 17×35×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (OPEN vs ZZ) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 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 model number is decoded
6003 is supplied open, without shields or seals, so the arrangement around it must supply and retain the lubricant. 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. In the SKF catalogue this open execution carries the bare designation; protected variants are ordered separately as -2Z and -2RSH.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- instrument drives
- fractional-horsepower electric motors
- domestic appliances
- power tools
Known failure patterns
- contamination wear from dust and dirt ingress through the open arrangement
- lubricant starvation when no regreasing interval is maintained
- fretting corrosion on a loose shaft seat
- cage damage from operation beyond the limiting speed
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Bore codes 00–03 use the exception table: 6003 fits a 17 mm shaft — the code × 5 mnemonic does not apply below code 04 (it would imply 0 mm for code 00).
- 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.
- Storage matters for open bearings: 6003 leaves the factory with rust preventive only, so clean it and apply the service grease at assembly even if the rings look oily from the wrapper.
- Open bearings tolerate the highest speeds in the 6000-series but need a defined regreasing interval; run-to-failure lubrication is the dominant cause of early failure in open 6003 units.
- Suffixes stack in a defined order — clearance follows the seal code, e.g. 6003-C3. No clearance suffix means normal CN clearance.
- 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.
- The open 6003 needs external sealing and application-supplied lubrication; in the SKF catalogue the protected variants are separate order numbers 6003-2Z (shields) and 6003-2RSH (contact seals), not suffix-free 6003.
- 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 bearing?
A 6003 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 an open bearing with no seals or shields.
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.
What internal clearance does 6003 have?
Unless a clearance suffix says otherwise, 6003 is manufactured to normal (CN) radial internal clearance. Tight fits and hot shafts consume clearance in service — for those conditions order the C3 execution of 6003 and verify the residual clearance after mounting.
What is the SKF designation and catalogue data for 6003?
In the SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue this size is listed as 6003 — the open (unsealed) execution, 17×35×10 mm per ISO 15. Quoted values: C 6.37 kN, C0 3.25 kN, Pu 0.137 kN, limiting speed 28000 r/min, mass 38 g. Brand suffixes (2Z, 2RSH, 2RSL) differ from the industry-neutral spelling 6003.
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.