6201-ZZ bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 6201-ZZ is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 12 x 32 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 | 12 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 32 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 | 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 | 39 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 6201-2Z |
| 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 & 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 (ZZ 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 (ZZ vs OPEN) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6201-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. |
| 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 (ZZ 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 (ZZ vs OPEN) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6201-RSR-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×32×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (ZZ vs RSR) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6201-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. |
| 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 (ZZ 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 (ZZ 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; seal variant (ZZ vs RSR) and load ratings differ — confirm sealing and rating 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; catalogue load ratings differ by >10% — re-rate the application 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-ZZ model number is decoded
6201-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 light 62xx section (diameter series 2 of ISO 15), its bore code 01 comes from the 10/12/15/17 mm exception table, giving a 12 mm bore; the 32 mm outside diameter and 10 mm width follow the same boundary-dimension plan. For a rotating inner ring on a 12 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 6201-2Z.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- garden equipment
- instrument drives
- fractional-horsepower electric motors
- domestic appliances
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
- raceway smearing under marginal lubrication at start-up
- edge loading from shaft deflection or housing misalignment
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Miniature bearings like 6201-ZZ (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.
- At 12 mm bore the 62xx light series is the workhorse section; its 32×10 mm envelope is what most motor and gearbox seats are machined for, so any alternative section must be checked against both this OD and this width, not the bore alone.
- ZZ shields are non-contact: 6201-ZZ 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.
- Do not wash 6201-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.
- A 12 mm bore listing showing the right d/D/B but no standard or precision-class reference may be a loose-tolerance import; measure bore/OD spread before fitting it to a machined shaft.
- Suffixes stack in a defined order — clearance follows the seal code, e.g. 6201-C3. No clearance suffix means normal CN clearance.
- SKF spells the shielded version 6201-2Z (one shield: 6201-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 6201-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 6201-2Z for high-contamination 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-ZZ bearing?
A 6201-ZZ 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 non-contact metallic shields.
Are 6201 bearings from different brands interchangeable?
For boundary dimensions, yes: every brand's 6201 uses the same ISO 15 envelope (12×32×10 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 internal clearance does 6201-ZZ have?
Unless a clearance suffix says otherwise, 6201-ZZ 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-ZZ 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 is the SKF designation and catalogue data for 6201-ZZ?
In the SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue this size is listed as 6201-2Z — two non-contact sheet-metal shields, 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 39 g. Brand suffixes (2Z, 2RSH, 2RSL) differ from the industry-neutral spelling 6201-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.