6201-RSR bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 6201-RSR is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 12 x 32 x 10 mm (bore x OD x width) with RSR sealing. Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 12 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 32 mm |
| Width B | 10 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | RSR |
| Internal clearance | CN / C3 available |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 7.28 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 3.1 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 0.132 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 50000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 26000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -30 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 38 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 6201-2RSL |
| 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 & 6200-series range
| Bore d | 0.472 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 1.26 in |
| Width B | 0.394 in |
| ISO bore code | 01 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 10 mm |
| Smallest bore in 6200-series | 3 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 6200-series | 540 mm |
| Width range across 6200-series | 2.5–85 mm |
| Bore position in 6200-series (smallest first) | 8 of 45 |
| Bore above smallest 6200-series size | 9 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6201-2RS-FAG | FAG | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×32×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (RSR vs 2RS) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6201-FAG | FAG | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×32×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (RSR vs OPEN) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6201-ZZ-FAG | FAG | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×32×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (RSR vs ZZ) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6201 | 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. |
| 6201-2RS-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×32×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (RSR vs 2RS) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6201-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×32×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (RSR vs OPEN) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6201-RSR-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. |
| 6201-ZZ-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×32×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (RSR vs ZZ) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6201-2RS-NTN | NTN | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×32×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant (RSR vs 2RS) and load ratings differ — confirm sealing and rating before substituting. |
| 6201-NTN | NTN | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×32×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant (RSR vs OPEN) and load ratings differ — confirm sealing and rating before substituting. |
| 6201-RSR-NTN | NTN | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×32×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; catalogue load ratings differ by >10% — re-rate the application before substituting. |
| 6201-ZZ-NTN | NTN | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×32×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant (RSR vs ZZ) and load ratings differ — confirm sealing and rating before substituting. |
| 7201 | SKF | verify Commonly quoted cross reference; confirm against the target catalog before ordering. | — |
| W6201-2RS | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF stainless execution W 6201-2RS1 shares the 12×32×10 mm envelope but rates differently (7.28/3.1 kN vs 5.72/3 kN) — not a load-rating equivalent. |
| W6201-ZZ | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF stainless execution W 6201-2Z shares the 12×32×10 mm envelope but rates differently (7.28/3.1 kN vs 5.72/3 kN) — not a load-rating equivalent. |
| W6201 | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF stainless execution W 6201 shares the 12×32×10 mm envelope but rates differently (7.28/3.1 kN vs 5.72/3 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 6201-RSR model number is decoded
In the 6200-series (diameter series 2 of ISO 15) the last two digits encode the bore: 6201 carries bore code 01 = 12 mm. Codes 00–03 follow the 10/12/15/17 mm exception table rather than code × 5. Outside diameter 32 mm and width 10 mm come from the ISO 15 boundary-dimensions general plan. Suffix -RSR denotes two low-friction non-contact elastomer seals; they keep coarse debris out with minimal drag but are not liquid-tight. For normal-load mounting with a rotating inner ring on a 12 mm shaft, typical catalogue practice is a j5 shaft seat with an H7 housing bore — verify against the actual load direction and magnitude. SKF's low-friction seal suffix is 2RSL/2RZ (this page's industry-neutral spelling is -RSR); catalogue number 6201-2RSL.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- garden equipment
- instrument drives
- fractional-horsepower electric motors
- domestic appliances
Known failure patterns
- ingress of fine dust or moisture past the non-contact lip in dirty or wet duty (RSR is not liquid-tight)
- lip-lubricant starvation if the bearing runs dry for extended periods
- cage damage from operation beyond the limiting speed
- electrical pitting in VFD-driven motors without grounding protection
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Miniature bearings like 6201-RSR (12 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 62xx light series is the default general-purpose section at 12 mm bore; before upgrading to a 6301 for extra capacity, confirm the housing accepts a 32 mm OD and 10 mm width — it is not a drop-in swap.
- RSR low-friction seals on 6201-RSR run faster than contact-seal 6201-2RS but let fine dust and moisture past the non-contact lip; in dirty or wet duty specify 6201-2RS instead.
- The low-drag lip of 6201-RSR barely touches the inner ring; after long shelf storage the grease can separate, so rotate the rings by hand and confirm smooth, silent running before fitting.
- Vibration during standstill brinells the raceways of a 12 mm bearing at ball spacing; if the machine sits idle next to running equipment, turn the shaft over periodically or isolate the arrangement.
- Measure the shaft, do not trust the drawing: a 12 mm nominal journal worn by even 0.02 mm turns an interference seat into a creeping fit that frets the bore of 6201-RSR.
- SKF catalogues the low-friction seal as 6201-2RSL (suffix -2RSL or -2RZ): a non-contact elastomer lip that runs near the open 26000 r/min limiting speed, closer to the open bearing's 50000 r/min reference than the contact-seal version. It keeps coarse debris out without the drag of a contact seal, but is not liquid-tight — use 2RSH for wet or fine-dust positions.
- The 7.28/3.1 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 6201-RSR bearing?
A 6201-RSR deep-groove ball bearing has a 12 mm bore, 32 mm outer diameter and 10 mm width (0.472 × 1.26 × 0.394 in), per ISO 15 boundary dimensions. It is fitted with two low-friction non-contact rubber seals.
What internal clearance does 6201-RSR have?
Unless a clearance suffix says otherwise, 6201-RSR 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 6201 and verify the residual clearance after mounting.
How should 6201-RSR be mounted?
Apply the mounting force to the ring being fitted: on a 12 mm shaft seat the press load must pass through the inner-ring face only. A fitting sleeve and an arbor press are normally sufficient at this size. Never strike the outer ring, the cage or the seals.
What lubrication does 6201-RSR need?
6201-RSR is supplied pre-greased for life and is not designed to be opened for relubrication; where a relubrication path is required, specify the open 6201 with a housing grease fitting instead.
What is the SKF designation and catalogue data for 6201-RSR?
In the SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue this size is listed as 6201-2RSL — two low-friction non-contact elastomer seals, 12×32×10 mm per ISO 15. Quoted values: C 7.28 kN, C0 3.1 kN, Pu 0.132 kN, limiting speed 26000 r/min, mass 38 g. Brand suffixes (2Z, 2RSH, 2RSL) differ from the industry-neutral spelling 6201-RSR.
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.