6203 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 6203 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 17 x 40 x 12 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 | 40 mm |
| Width B | 12 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 | 9.95 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 4.75 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 0.2 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 38000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 24000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +150 °C |
| Mass | 65 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 6203 |
| 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 | 0.669 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 1.575 in |
| Width B | 0.472 in |
| ISO bore code | 03 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 11.5 mm |
| Smallest bore in 6200-series | 10 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 6200-series | 400 mm |
| Width range across 6200-series | 9–65 mm |
| Bore position in 6200-series (smallest first) | 4 of 33 |
| Bore above smallest 6200-series size | 7 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6203 | 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 6203 model number is decoded
In the 6200-series (ISO 15 diameter series 2) the last two digits encode the bore: 6203 carries bore code 03 = 17 mm. Codes 00–03 follow the 10/12/15/17 mm exception table rather than code × 5. Outside diameter 40 mm and width 12 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. 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
- cage damage from operation beyond the limiting speed
- electrical pitting in VFD-driven motors without grounding protection
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Bore codes 00–03 use the exception table: 6203 fits a 17 mm shaft — the code × 5 mnemonic does not apply below code 04 (it would imply 0 mm for code 00).
- The 62xx light series is the default general-purpose section at 17 mm bore; before upgrading to a 6303 for extra capacity, confirm the housing accepts a 40 mm OD and 12 mm width — it is not a drop-in swap.
- The open 6203 has no lubricant retention: grease escapes and contaminants migrate straight into the 17×40×12 mm raceway, so specify a sealed arrangement for dusty or washdown duty.
- Open bearings tolerate the highest speeds in the 6200-series but need a defined regreasing interval; run-to-failure lubrication is the dominant cause of early failure in open 6203 units.
- Suffixes stack in a defined order — clearance follows the seal code, e.g. 6203-C3. No clearance suffix means normal CN clearance.
- The open 6203 needs external sealing and application-supplied lubrication; in the SKF catalogue the protected variants are separate order numbers 6203-2Z (shields) and 6203-2RSH (contact seals), not suffix-free 6203.
- The 9.95/4.75 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 6203 bearing?
A 6203 deep-groove ball bearing has a 17 mm bore, 40 mm outer diameter and 12 mm width (0.669 × 1.575 × 0.472 in), per ISO 15 boundary dimensions. It is an open bearing with no seals or shields. Geometry-based estimated mass is about 63 g for a steel-cage unit; catalogue masses vary slightly with seal and cage design.
Why does 6203 not follow the bore-code × 5 rule?
Codes 00–03 use the exception table (10, 12, 15 and 17 mm): 6203 with code 03 has a 17 mm bore. The code × 5 convention starts at code 04 (20 mm).
What does no suffix on 6203 mean?
A bare 6203 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 6200 compare with other series at the same 17 mm bore?
The '2' is the light diameter series: 40×12 mm with a 11.5 mm radial section at 17 mm bore. A 6303 on the same bore is larger and higher-rated; a 6003 is smaller and lower-rated.
What is the SKF designation and catalogue data for 6203?
In the SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue this size is listed as 6203 — the open (unsealed) execution, 17×40×12 mm per ISO 15. Quoted values: C 9.95 kN, C0 4.75 kN, Pu 0.2 kN, limiting speed 24000 r/min, mass 65 g. Brand suffixes (2Z, 2RSH) differ from the industry-neutral spelling 6203.
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.