W6201 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The W6201 is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 12 x 32 x 10 mm (bore x OD x width). 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 | SS440C |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 5.72 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 3 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 0.127 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 53000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 34000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 34 g |
| Manufacturer designation | W 6201 |
| Standard | ISO 15 |
| Catalog version | SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) |
| Last verified | 2026-09-27 |
Source: catalog reference (SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018)) · extracted 2026-09-27
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| W6201-2RS | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 12×32×10 mm envelope and equivalent catalogue ratings; W 6201-2RS1 is the two contact elastomer seals execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only the seal/shield/cage execution differs. |
| W6201-ZZ | SKF | full Dimensions and internal design equivalent — standard interchange. | Same 12×32×10 mm envelope and equivalent catalogue ratings; W 6201-2Z is the two non-contact shields execution of this size — boundary dimensions interchangeable, only the seal/shield/cage execution differs. |
| 6201 | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF SKF 6201 shares the 12×32×10 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (5.72/3 kN vs 7.28/3.1 kN) — the stainless execution is not a load-rating equivalent. |
| 6201-ZZ | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF SKF 6201-2Z shares the 12×32×10 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (5.72/3 kN vs 7.28/3.1 kN) — the stainless execution is not a load-rating equivalent. |
| 6201-2RS | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF SKF 6201-2RSH shares the 12×32×10 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (5.72/3 kN vs 7.28/3.1 kN) — the stainless execution is not a load-rating equivalent. |
| 6201-RSR | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF SKF 6201-2RSL shares the 12×32×10 mm envelope but carries different catalogue ratings (5.72/3 kN vs 7.28/3.1 kN) — the stainless execution is 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 W6201 model number is decoded
The W prefix denotes SKF stainless steel deep-groove bearings (X108CrMo17 / AISI 440C class rings). In the 6200-series, bore code 01 follows the 10/12/15/17 mm exception table, so 6201 fits a 12 mm shaft. Envelope 12×32×10 mm (0.472×1.26×0.394 in), C 5.72 kN, C0 3 kN, Pu 0.127 kN; limiting speed 34000 r/min and mass 34 g. The open W 6201 carries no shields or seals and relies on application lubrication and external sealing. Stainless is chosen for corrosion and washdown duty, not for extra load — the same-envelope chrome-steel bearing rates higher.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- medical and laboratory devices
- small pumps handling corrosive media
- bicycle and outdoor equipment
- appliances exposed to moisture
Known failure patterns
- seal and grease failure before the rings corrode in sustained washdown service
- surface staining and pitting when even the stainless steel is left unlubricated in salty or acidic duty
- contamination wear when the open arrangement is used without external seals
- lubricant starvation where no regreasing interval is maintained
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Temperatures above roughly 300 °C temper the stainless races; even standard greases fail far earlier — keep W6201 inside the quoted grease temperature range.
- W-prefix stainless rings (X108CrMo17 / AISI 440C class) resist moisture and weak chemicals but will still rust in chloride-rich or salt-spray duty without protection — W6201 is not marine-grade stainless.
- The stainless steel is martensitic and MAGNETIC; do not reject W6201 over magnetism — only austenitic grades are non-magnetic, and those are too soft for bearing raceways.
- Stainless bearings carry lower load ratings than chrome steel of the same envelope: W6201 is quoted at C 5.72 kN versus the 10 mm-wide 52100 version — do not swap on dimensions alone.
- Fillet radii must clear the W6201 chamfer so the 10 mm-wide ring seats square; an oversized shaft radius creates point contact on the ring face.
- Mount by heating the inner ring (max 120 °C) — driving W6201 home through the outer ring or balls brinells the raceways.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of the stainless W6201?
SKF W 6201 measures 12×32×10 mm (0.472×1.26×0.394 in), about 34 g, C 5.72 kN.
What does the W in W 6201 mean?
W is the SKF prefix for stainless steel deep-groove bearings (rings in X108CrMo17 / AISI 440C class); the rest of the designation follows the normal series and bore rules.
Are W stainless bearings waterproof?
No — the stainless rings resist moisture and weak chemicals far better than 52100 chrome steel, but salt spray, strong chlorides and unlubricated washdown duty can still corrode W6201; add seals and food-grade grease for wet positions.
Can I replace a chrome-steel bearing with stainless W6201?
The envelope matches, but stainless rates lower (C 5.72 kN for W 6201); for corrosive environments that trade-off is intended, for high loads it shortens life.
Reviewed & verified by the MPN Base engineering desk against source catalog SKF PUB BU/P1 17000/1 EN (Oct 2018) on 2026-09-27. Read our editorial & correction policy.