6303-NTN bearing: complete specifications & equivalents

Specification table

Source: catalog reference (NTN Ball and Roller Bearings CAT.No.2203-3/E (2024)) · extracted 2026-09-25

Parameters extracted from the official NTN Ball and Roller Bearings catalogue (NTN Ball and Roller Bearings CAT.No.2203-3/E (2024)); NTN® is a trademark of NTN Corporation, used here for identification only — mpnbase is not an authorized NTN distributor. Boundary dimensions are ISO 15 interchangeable; current production values may differ, verify at ntnglobal.com.

Cross references & equivalents

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 6303-NTN model number is decoded

In the 6300-series (diameter series 3 of ISO 15) the last two digits encode the bore: 6303 carries bore code 17 = 17 mm. Outside diameter 47 mm and width 14 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 NTN catalogue this open execution carries the bare designation; protected variants are ordered separately with suffixes ZZ (shields), LLB/LLF (non-contact seals), LLH (low-torque contact seal) and LLU (contact seal).

Typical equipment & failure modes

Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute

• Mount this 17 mm bore bearing by heating the inner ring (induction heater, max 120 °C) — never drive it home through the outer ring or balls, that brinells the raceways.
• The 63xx medium series gains rating at 17 mm bore through a 47 mm OD and 14 mm width; the heavier rolling elements also trade away some speed versus a 6217.
• The open 6303-NTN has no lubricant retention: grease escapes and contaminants migrate straight into the 17×47×14 mm raceway, so specify a sealed arrangement for dusty or washdown duty.
• Storage matters for open bearings: 6303-NTN leaves the factory with rust preventive only, so clean it and apply the service grease at assembly even if the rings look oily from the wrapper.
• Do not quieten a noisy bearing by preloading it: the 6300-series is a deep-groove design, not angular-contact; axial preload raises temperature and shortens grease life.
• Measure the shaft, do not trust the drawing: a 17 mm nominal journal worn by even 0.02 mm turns an interference seat into a creeping fit that frets the bore of 6303-NTN.
• The open 6303 has no integral sealing; in the NTN 2203 catalogue the protected variants carry suffixes ZZ (non-contact steel shields), LLB/LLF (non-contact rubber seals), LLU (contact rubber seals) and LLH (a low-torque contact seal with higher speed capability than LLU). A JR or JRX suffix (printed for some thin-section sizes) denotes a pressed-steel cage, not a seal.
• At 17 mm bore the 6303 sits in NTN's small-bore range; ABEC-1/P0 runout is standard, and the pressed-steel cage is adequate up to the grease limiting speed — for higher accuracy (spindles, instruments) ask NTN for a P6 or P5 tolerance-class listing before relying on catalogue P0 figures.
• NTN rates 6303 at 16000 r/min grease limiting speed — this is an electric-motor range; keep the grease fill at 25–35% of the free bearing volume and avoid mixing grease thickener types if regreasing through the housing.
• At 15 kN dynamic load rating (C) and 6.55 kN static (C0), 0.51 kN fatigue load limit Cu, 6303 is a medium-load bearing suitable for most electric-motor and pump duty; the C0/C0r ratio matters for preloaded or thrust-loaded arrangements, so confirm the static safety factor with the NTN catalogue.
• At 115 g, 6303 is light enough for hand assembly but should be pressed on with a fitting sleeve against the inner ring; do not strike the outer ring or cage with a hammer.
• The 17×47×14 mm envelope of 6303 gives a D/d ratio of 2.76 and 15.0 mm radial section height — a heavy section built for high-load, lower-speed duty; specifying it in a high-rpm motor generates excess heat and shortens grease life, so prefer a 62/63-series there.
• The 15/6.55 kN load ratings, 0.51 kN fatigue load limit Cu NTN lists the grease limiting speed at 16000 r/min for this designation; oil-mist or jet lubrication raises the ceiling but requires a sealed-housing review. and 115 g mass here are NTN Ball and Roller Bearings CAT.No.2203-3/E figures for 6303 on the 17×47×14 mm ISO 15 envelope; internal geometry and ratings legitimately differ between brands, so re-verify before substituting another manufacturer's 6303 in a rated drive.
• Factory-fill grease in NTN sealed units is a general-duty lithium-soap grease; food-grade, low-temperature and high-temperature fills are request options at order time, because LLU/LLB units are not meant to be opened and re-greased in the field.
• NTN's pressed-steel cage (no cage suffix) is the quiet standard for this size; for sustained running close to the limiting speed or for heavy shock duty, ask the NTN channel whether a machined-cage execution of 6303 is listed.