6201-ZZ-FAG bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

Specification table

Source: catalog reference (HR 1 Rolling Bearings (Jan 2020)) · extracted 2026-09-25

Parameters extracted from the official FAG Rolling Bearings catalogue (HR 1 Rolling Bearings (Jan 2020)); FAG® is a trademark of Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, used here for identification only — mpnbase is not an authorized FAG/Schaeffler distributor. Boundary dimensions are ISO 15 interchangeable; current production values may differ, verify at schaeffler.com.

Cross references & equivalents

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-ZZ-FAG 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 12 = 12 mm. Outside diameter 32 mm and width 10 mm come from the ISO 15 boundary-dimensions general plan. Suffix -ZZ denotes two non-contact metallic shields; they retain grease and block coarse debris 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. Schaeffler HR 1 catalogue order number: 6201-C-2Z (FAG suffix 2Z), two non-contact steel shields, mapped here from the industry-neutral -ZZ spelling.

Typical equipment & failure modes

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

• Temperature rise and interference fits consume internal clearance on this 12 mm bore: a CN bearing on a tight, hot shaft can lose all residual clearance — size 6201 with C3 for those conditions.
• The 62xx light series is the default general-purpose section at 12 mm bore; before upgrading to a 6312 for extra capacity, confirm the housing accepts a 32 mm OD and 10 mm width — it is not a drop-in swap.
• ZZ shields are non-contact: 6201-ZZ-FAG blocks chips and coarse dust but is not waterproof — do not install it expecting a pressure-wash seal, step up to 6201-2RS for that.
• Shielded 6201-ZZ-FAG units are typically greased for life; prying the shields out for regreasing usually bends them and leaves a gap that throws grease in service.
• Never mix components between two 6201-ZZ-FAG units: rings, cage and balls are factory-matched and are not field-interchangeable, even between identical designations.
• Do not quieten a noisy bearing by preloading it: the 6200-series is a deep-groove design, not angular-contact; axial preload raises temperature and shortens grease life.
• Schaeffler HR 1 lists the shielded version as 6201-C-2Z — FAG suffix 2Z, two non-contact steel shields. The industry-neutral page spelling is -ZZ; quote the FAG order number when buying through a Schaeffler channel.
• The 31500 r/min mechanical limiting speed puts 6201 at the top of the HR 1 deep-groove speed range (thermal reference speed 24600 r/min); at these speeds cage design and grease shear dominate — run open with oil-mist or air-over-oil lubrication and verify the thermal reference speed for the actual load before committing.
• At 12 mm bore the 6201 sits in Schaeffler's small-bore range; HR 1 ships these sizes with a pressed steel or plastic cage and P0 tolerance as standard — for instrument or spindle accuracy order the P6/P5 variant explicitly, since P0 runout figures will not hold.
• FAG rates 6201 at 8 kN dynamic (C) and 3.1 kN static (C0); this light-to-medium rating suits fractional-horsepower drives and instruments — verify the equivalent dynamic load stays well below C for conveying or gearbox duty with shock.
• At only 36 g, 6201 is a lightweight FAG bearing that can be handled by hand; still press it onto the shaft with a sleeve against the inner ring — never through the balls or outer ring.
• The 12×32×10 mm envelope of 6201 gives a D/d ratio of 2.67 and 10.0 mm radial section height — a heavy FAG section for high-load, lower-speed duty; specifying it in a high-rpm motor generates excess heat and shortens grease life, so prefer a 62/63-series there.
• The 8/3.1 kN load ratings, mass 36 g here are Schaeffler HR 1 Rolling Bearings (Jan 2020) catalogue figures for 6201-C-2Z on the 12×32×10 mm ISO 15 envelope; internal geometry and ratings legitimately differ between brands, so re-verify before substituting another manufacturer's 6201 in a rated drive. Where FAG has since released an X-life version of this size, its expanded C/C0 ratings supersede the HR 1 print values quoted here.
• FAG sealed units arrive greased for life with a lithium-soap fill; Schaeffler quotes a shelf life for greased bearings and recommends running stock first-in-first-out rather than re-greasing aged sealed units.
• Mixing old and new FAG generations of the same designation in one arrangement is dimensionally acceptable, but where ratings matter — preloaded or matched sets — order both positions from the same generation and lot.