6301-RSR bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 6301-RSR is a ISO 15 radial bearing sized 12 x 37 x 12 mm (bore x OD x width) with RSR sealing. Verify dimensions against the official catalog before ordering.
Specification table
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | SKF |
| Bore diameter d | 12 mm |
| Outer diameter D | 37 mm |
| Width B | 12 mm |
| Material | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | RSR |
| Internal clearance | CN / C3 available |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | steel, stamped ribbon (J-type) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 10.1 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 4.15 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 0.176 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 45000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 22000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -30 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 60 g |
| Manufacturer designation | SKF 6301-2RSL |
| 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 & 6300-series range
| Bore d | 0.472 in |
|---|---|
| Outer diameter D | 1.457 in |
| Width B | 0.472 in |
| ISO bore code | 01 |
| Radial section height (D−d)/2 | 12.5 mm |
| Smallest bore in 6300-series | 2 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 6300-series | 500 mm |
| Width range across 6300-series | 3–95 mm |
| Bore position in 6300-series (smallest first) | 6 of 40 |
| Bore above smallest 6300-series size | 10 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6301-2RS-FAG | FAG | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×37×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant (RSR vs 2RS) and load ratings differ — confirm sealing and rating before substituting. |
| 6301-FAG | FAG | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×37×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant (RSR vs OPEN) and load ratings differ — confirm sealing and rating before substituting. |
| 6301-ZZ-FAG | FAG | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×37×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant (RSR vs ZZ) and load ratings differ — confirm sealing and rating before substituting. |
| 6301 | 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. |
| 6301-2RS-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×37×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (RSR vs 2RS) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6301-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×37×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (RSR vs OPEN) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6301-RSR-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. |
| 6301-ZZ-NSK | NSK | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×37×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (RSR vs ZZ) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6301-2RS-NTN | NTN | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×37×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (RSR vs 2RS) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6301-NTN | NTN | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×37×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (RSR vs OPEN) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 6301-RSR-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. |
| 6301-ZZ-NTN | NTN | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×37×12 mm envelope per ISO 15; seal variant differs (RSR vs ZZ) — confirm sealing suits the duty. |
| 7301 | SKF | verify Commonly quoted cross reference; confirm against the target catalog before ordering. | — |
| W6301-2RS | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF stainless execution W 6301-2RS1 shares the 12×37×12 mm envelope but rates differently (10.1/4.15 kN vs 8.32/4.15 kN) — not a load-rating equivalent. |
| W6301-ZZ | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF stainless execution W 6301-2Z shares the 12×37×12 mm envelope but rates differently (10.1/4.15 kN vs 8.32/4.15 kN) — not a load-rating equivalent. |
| W6301 | SKF | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | SKF stainless execution W 6301 shares the 12×37×12 mm envelope but rates differently (10.1/4.15 kN vs 8.32/4.15 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 6301-RSR model number is decoded
6301-RSR uses two non-contact elastomer lips with very low drag; coarse debris stays out, but the bearing is not liquid-tight. Within the medium 63xx section (diameter series 3 of ISO 15), its bore code 01 comes from the 10/12/15/17 mm exception table, giving a 12 mm bore; the 37 mm outside diameter and 12 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 low-friction seal suffix is 2RSL/2RZ (this page's industry-neutral spelling is -RSR); catalogue number 6301-2RSL.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- fractional-horsepower electric motors
- domestic appliances
- power tools
- small fans and blowers
Known failure patterns
- ingress of fine dust or moisture past the non-contact lip in dirty or wet duty (RSR is not liquid-tight)
- lip-lubricant starvation if the bearing runs dry for extended periods
- edge loading from shaft deflection or housing misalignment
- rolling-contact fatigue spalling after the rated L10 life is exceeded
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Miniature bearings like 6301-RSR (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.
- The 63xx medium series gains rating at 12 mm bore through a 37 mm OD and 12 mm width; the heavier rolling elements also trade away some speed versus a 6201.
- RSR low-friction seals on 6301-RSR run faster than contact-seal 6301-2RS but let fine dust and moisture past the non-contact lip; in dirty or wet duty specify 6301-2RS instead.
- The low-drag lip of 6301-RSR barely touches the inner ring; after long shelf storage the grease can separate, so rotate the rings by hand and confirm smooth, silent running before fitting.
- Axial location must clamp the ring face, not the seal area: a shoulder or circlip bearing on the seal side of the 12 mm-wide ring of 6301-RSR drags the lip and overheats it.
- Measure the shaft, do not trust the drawing: a 12 mm nominal journal worn by even 0.02 mm turns an interference seat into a creeping fit that frets the bore of 6301-RSR.
- SKF catalogues the low-friction seal as 6301-2RSL (suffix -2RSL or -2RZ): a non-contact elastomer lip that runs near the open 22000 r/min limiting speed, closer to the open bearing's 45000 r/min reference than the contact-seal version. It keeps coarse debris out without the drag of a contact seal, but is not liquid-tight — use 2RSH for wet or fine-dust positions.
- The 10.1/4.15 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 6301-RSR bearing?
A 6301-RSR deep-groove ball bearing has a 12 mm bore, 37 mm outer diameter and 12 mm width (0.472 × 1.457 × 0.472 in), per ISO 15 boundary dimensions. It is fitted with two low-friction non-contact rubber seals.
Are 6301 bearings from different brands interchangeable?
For boundary dimensions, yes: every brand's 6301 uses the same ISO 15 envelope (12×37×12 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 6301-RSR have?
Unless a clearance suffix says otherwise, 6301-RSR 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 6301 and verify the residual clearance after mounting.
How should 6301-RSR 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 6301-RSR?
In the SKF Rolling Bearings catalogue this size is listed as 6301-2RSL — two low-friction non-contact elastomer seals, 12×37×12 mm per ISO 15. Quoted values: C 10.1 kN, C0 4.15 kN, Pu 0.176 kN, limiting speed 22000 r/min, mass 60 g. Brand suffixes (2Z, 2RSH, 2RSL) differ from the industry-neutral spelling 6301-RSR.
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.