6208 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 6208 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 40 x 80 x 18 mm (bore x OD x width). Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Bore diameter d | 40 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 80 mm |
| Width B | 18 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 | 32.5 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 19 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 0.8 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 18000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 11000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +150 °C |
| Mass | 370 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 6208 |
| 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 | 1.575 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 3.15 in |
| Width B | 0.709 in |
| ISO bore code | 08 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 20 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) | 9 of 33 |
| Bore above smallest 6200-series size | 30 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6208 | 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 6208 model number is decoded
In the 6200-series (ISO 15 diameter series 2) the last two digits encode the bore: 6208 carries bore code 08 = 40 mm. Outside diameter 80 mm and width 18 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 40 mm shaft, typical catalogue practice is a k5 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
- agricultural equipment
- fans and blowers
- electric motors
- centrifugal pumps
Known failure patterns
- contamination wear from dust and dirt ingress through the open arrangement
- lubricant starvation when no regreasing interval is maintained
- brinelling from static overload or hammering during mounting
- false brinelling from vibration while the shaft is stationary
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- At a 40 mm bore, a shaft-seat burr or an overtight setscrew can score the thin inner ring of 6208; check shaft finish and runout (target Ra ≤ 1.6 µm) before pressing it home.
- The 62xx light series is the default general-purpose section at 40 mm bore; before upgrading to a 6308 for extra capacity, confirm the housing accepts a 80 mm OD and 18 mm width — it is not a drop-in swap.
- The open 6208 has no lubricant retention: grease escapes and contaminants migrate straight into the 40×80×18 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 6208 units.
- 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.
- The open 6208 needs external sealing and application-supplied lubrication; in the SKF catalogue the protected variants are separate order numbers 6208-2Z (shields) and 6208-2RSH (contact seals), not suffix-free 6208.
- The 32.5/19 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 6208 bearing?
A 6208 deep-groove ball bearing has a 40 mm bore, 80 mm outer diameter and 18 mm width (1.575 × 3.15 × 0.709 in), per ISO 15 boundary dimensions. It is an open bearing with no seals or shields. Geometry-based estimated mass is about 346 g for a steel-cage unit; catalogue masses vary slightly with seal and cage design.
How does the 6208 bore code work?
The last two digits of 6208 are bore code 08, giving 08 × 5 = 40 mm bore. The 80 mm outside diameter and 18 mm width follow the ISO 15 diameter series, not the bore code alone.
What does no suffix on 6208 mean?
A bare 6208 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 40 mm bore?
The '2' is the light diameter series: 80×18 mm with a 20.0 mm radial section at 40 mm bore. A 6308 on the same bore is larger and higher-rated; a 6008 is smaller and lower-rated.
What is the SKF designation and catalogue data for 6208?
In the SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue this size is listed as 6208 — the open (unsealed) execution, 40×80×18 mm per ISO 15. Quoted values: C 32.5 kN, C0 19 kN, Pu 0.8 kN, limiting speed 11000 r/min, mass 370 g. Brand suffixes (2Z, 2RSH) differ from the industry-neutral spelling 6208.
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.