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 |
|---|---|
| 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 | 2026-09-24 |
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 | 10 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 6000-series | 420 mm |
| Width range across 6000-series | 8–65 mm |
| Bore position in 6000-series (smallest first) | 4 of 35 |
| Bore above smallest 6000-series size | 7 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6003 | ISO 15 | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | ISO 15 boundary-dimension envelope; brand-specific OEM equivalents (NSK/FAG/NTN) pending multi-source data. |
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
In the 6000-series (ISO 15 diameter series 0) the last two digits encode the bore: 6003 carries bore code 03 = 17 mm. Codes 00–03 follow the 10/12/15/17 mm exception table rather than code × 5. Outside diameter 35 mm and width 10 mm come from the ISO 15 boundary-dimensions general plan. With no seal suffix the bearing is open: no shields or seals are fitted and lubrication is supplied by the application. For normal-load mounting with a rotating inner ring on a 17 mm shaft, typical catalogue practice is a j5 shaft seat with an H7 housing bore — verify against the actual load direction and magnitude.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- small fans and blowers
- garden equipment
- instrument drives
- fractional-horsepower electric motors
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.
- The open 6003 has no lubricant retention: grease escapes and contaminants migrate straight into the 17×35×10 mm raceway, so specify a sealed arrangement for dusty or washdown duty.
- 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.
- Do not quieten a noisy bearing by preloading it: the 6000-series is a deep-groove design, not angular-contact; axial preload raises temperature and shortens grease life.
- 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.
Why does 6003 not follow the bore-code × 5 rule?
Codes 00–03 use the exception table (10, 12, 15 and 17 mm): 6003 with code 03 has a 17 mm bore. The code × 5 convention starts at code 04 (20 mm).
What does no suffix on 6003 mean?
A bare 6003 designation means open: no shields or seals, normal CN radial clearance and P0 normal tolerance unless further suffixes are ordered. The application must supply and retain the lubrication.
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.
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 2026-09-24. Read our editorial & correction policy.