6204-2RS bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 6204-2RS is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 20 x 47 x 14 mm (bore x OD x width) with 2RS sealing. Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 20 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 47 mm |
| Width B | 14 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | 2RS |
| Internal clearance | CN / C3 available |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 13.5 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 6.55 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 0.28 kN |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 10000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -30 to +110 °C |
| Mass | 110 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 6204-2RSH |
| 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 | 0.787 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 1.85 in |
| Width B | 0.551 in |
| ISO bore code | 04 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 13.5 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) | 11 of 45 |
| Bore above smallest 6200-series size | 17 mm |
Mounting, lubrication & life for 6204-2RS
Recommended fits & mounting
- Rotating inner ring on a 20 mm shaft: k5; housing bore H7 for normal stationary-load outer rings. Reverse the logic if the outer ring rotates.
- Fit by induction heating (max 120 °C) where practical — never drive the ring home through the rolling elements.
- Keep shaft and housing fillet radii below the bearing chamfer so the 14 mm-wide ring seats square on its shoulder.
Lubrication strategy
Contact-sealed execution: greased and sealed for life, no relubrication path. Grease life — not steel fatigue — usually sets the replacement interval; rising running temperature or noise near the end of service is the practical trigger.
Worked L10 life example (illustrative duty)
For ball bearings, L10h = (C/P)3 · 106 / (60·n). Taking an example radial equivalent load P = 3 kN at n = 1,500 r/min (a small belted motor duty — substitute the real equivalent load from the application calculation):
C = 13.5 kN → L10h ≈ 1,013 hours — a warning that this section is lightly rated for a 3 kN load; a heavier section at the same 20 mm bore is the usual fix
Choosing a section at the same 20 mm bore
| Series | Open execution | OD × width | C (kN) | Limiting speed (r/min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60xx | 6004-FAG | 42 × 12 | 10.6 | 27,500 |
| 62xx | 6204-FAG | 47 × 14 | 14.7 | 24,300 |
| 63xx | 6304-FAG | 52 × 15 | 16.9 | 19,800 |
| 64xx | 6404-FAG | 72 × 19 | 30.5 | 14,000 |
| 618xx | 61804-FAG | 32 × 7 | 4.0 | 33,500 |
| 619xx | 61904-FAG | 37 × 9 | 6.4 | 28,500 |
| 160xx | 16004 | 42 × 8 | 7.9 | 26,000 |
A larger section is not a drop-in swap — OD and width change — and same-envelope seal variants are compared on the 20×47×14 envelope page. Match meaning, not the size chart alone: see what the cross-reference levels mean.
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6204-2RS-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. |
| 6204-FAG | FAG | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×47×14 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs OPEN) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6204-ZZ-FAG | FAG | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×47×14 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs ZZ) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6204 | 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. |
| 6204-2RS-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. |
| 6204-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×47×14 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs OPEN) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6204-RSR-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×47×14 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs RSR) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6204-ZZ-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×47×14 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs ZZ) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6204-2RS-NTN | NTN | 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. |
| 6204-NTN | NTN | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×47×14 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs OPEN) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6204-RSR-NTN | NTN | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×47×14 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs RSR) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6204-ZZ-NTN | NTN | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 20×47×14 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (2RS vs ZZ) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 7204 | SKF | verify Commonly quoted cross reference; confirm against the target catalog before ordering. | — |
| NU204 | SKF | verify Commonly quoted cross reference; confirm against the target catalog before ordering. | — |
| W6204-2RS | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF stainless execution W 6204-2RS1 shares the 20×47×14 mm envelope but rates differently (13.5/6.55 kN vs 10.8/6.55 kN) — not a load-rating equivalent. |
| W6204-ZZ | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF stainless execution W 6204-2Z shares the 20×47×14 mm envelope but rates differently (13.5/6.55 kN vs 10.8/6.55 kN) — not a load-rating equivalent. |
| W6204 | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF stainless execution W 6204 shares the 20×47×14 mm envelope but rates differently (13.5/6.55 kN vs 10.8/6.55 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 6204-2RS model number is decoded
In the 6200-series (diameter series 2 of ISO 15) the last two digits encode the bore: 6204 carries bore code 04 = 20 mm. Outside diameter 47 mm and width 14 mm come from the ISO 15 boundary-dimensions general plan. Suffix -2RS denotes two contact-type elastomer seals over a lifetime grease fill; the sealing lips add drag compared with open or shielded versions. For normal-load mounting with a rotating inner ring on a 20 mm shaft, typical catalogue practice is a k5 shaft seat with an H7 housing bore — verify against the actual load direction and magnitude. SKF's contact-seal catalogue number is 6204-2RSH (older text: -2RS1), mapped here from the industry-neutral -2RS spelling.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- centrifugal pumps
- small gearboxes
- conveyors and drives
- agricultural equipment
Known failure patterns
- seal-lip hardening and loss of pre-grease in sustained high-temperature service
- grease-life expiry in the sealed-for-life cavity (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
- A 20 mm shaft for 6204 should be finished to Ra ≤ 1.6 µm with square seating faces; at this bore a scored or oval journal shows up directly as running noise and early raceway damage.
- The 62xx light series is the default general-purpose section at 20 mm bore; before upgrading to a 6304 for extra capacity, confirm the housing accepts a 47 mm OD and 14 mm width — it is not a drop-in swap.
- Contact seals add drag and heat: 6204-2RS runs slower and cooler-limited than the open 6204; rubber lips are generally limited to roughly 80–110 °C continuous depending on grease, and C3 clearance is the common hot-duty choice.
- Heat is the enemy of the sealed 6204-2RS: sustained running near the lip temperature limit hardens the rubber, after which grease escapes and dirt tracks in — watch the housing temperature in hot drives.
- 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.
- Suffixes stack in a defined order — clearance follows the seal code, e.g. 6204-C3. No clearance suffix means normal CN clearance.
- SKF catalogues the contact-sealed version as 6204-2RSH (older printings may read -2RS1); it is shipped pre-greased and its 10000 r/min limiting speed is set by seal-lip drag and grease life versus the open bearing's 32000 r/min thermal reference speed. The single-seal catalogue number is 6204-RSH, used where one shaft side needs external relubrication.
- A one-seal execution 6204-RSH exists for arrangements that lubricate through the open side; fitting 6204-2RSH instead means lifetime grease and no external oil supply — mixing the two in the same shaft can starve the sealed position.
- The 13.5/6.55 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 6204-2RS bearing?
A 6204-2RS deep-groove ball bearing has a 20 mm bore, 47 mm outer diameter and 14 mm width (0.787 × 1.85 × 0.551 in), per ISO 15 boundary dimensions. It is fitted with two contact rubber seals and is normally pre-greased.
How does the 6200 compare with other series at the same 20 mm bore?
The '2' is the light diameter series: 47×14 mm with a 13.5 mm radial section at 20 mm bore. A 6304 on the same bore is larger and higher-rated; a 6004 is smaller and lower-rated.
Are 6204 bearings from different brands interchangeable?
For boundary dimensions, yes: every brand's 6204 uses the same ISO 15 envelope (20×47×14 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 6204-2RS have?
Unless a clearance suffix says otherwise, 6204-2RS 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 6204 and verify the residual clearance after mounting.
What is the SKF designation and catalogue data for 6204-2RS?
In the SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue this size is listed as 6204-2RSH — two contact elastomer seals over a lifetime grease fill, 20×47×14 mm per ISO 15. Quoted values: C 13.5 kN, C0 6.55 kN, Pu 0.28 kN, limiting speed 10000 r/min, mass 110 g. Brand suffixes (2Z, 2RSH, 2RSL) differ from the industry-neutral spelling 6204-2RS.
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.