1201-ETN9 bearing: complete specifications & equivalents
The 1201-ETN9 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 | GCr15 |
| Seal / shield | open |
| Internal clearance | CN |
| Tolerance class | P0 |
| Cage | polymer (PA66 glass-fibre reinforced) |
| Basic dynamic load rating C | 6.24 kN |
| Basic static load rating C0 | 1.43 kN |
| Fatigue load limit Pu | 0.072 kN |
| Reference speed (thermal) | 50000 rpm |
| Limiting speed (mechanical) | 32000 rpm |
| Operating temperature | -40 to +120 °C |
| Mass | 40 g |
| Manufacturer designation | 1201 ETN9 |
| 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 & 1200-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 1200-series | 6 mm |
| Largest outer diameter in 1200-series | 230 mm |
| Width range across 1200-series | 6–154 mm |
| Bore position in 1200-series (smallest first) | 6 of 32 |
| Bore above smallest 1200-series size | 6 mm |
Cross references & equivalents
| Equivalent model | Brand | Match level | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1201 | NTN | partial Main dimensions match; tolerances, seals or internal clearance differ. | Same 12×32×10 mm envelope per ISO 15; catalogue load ratings differ by >10% — re-rate the application before substituting. |
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 1201-ETN9 model number is decoded
The 12xx series is the light/normal-section self-aligning ball bearing (ISO dimension series 02). bore code 01 follows the 10/12/15/17 mm exception table, so 1201 fits a 12 mm shaft. Envelope 12×32×10 mm (0.472×1.26×0.394 in) with a 10.0 mm radial section height, C 6.24 kN, C0 1.43 kN and Pu 0.072 kN. The open 1201 ETN9 carries no shields or seals and relies on application lubrication and external sealing. The ETN9 suffix identifies the glass-fibre-reinforced polyamide 66 cage execution. The bore is cylindrical (straight), for a press-fit on a 12 mm shaft. Reference (thermal) speed 50000 r/min, limiting speed 32000 r/min, catalogue mass 40 g.
Typical equipment & failure modes
Common applications
- woodworking machine spindles
- light gearbox layshafts
- food-processing conveyors
- small electric motors
Known failure patterns
- contamination wear when the open arrangement is used without adequate external sealing
- lubricant starvation where no regreasing interval is maintained
- raceway smearing under marginal lubrication at start-up
- electrical pitting in VFD-driven motors without shaft grounding
Selection pitfalls — read before you substitute
- Catalogue ratings for 1201-ETN9 (C 6.24 kN, C0 1.43 kN) are SKF figures from PUB BU/P1 17000; geometry revisions can change ratings without changing the designation, so keep the catalogue edition with the specification.
- Self-aligning ball bearings tolerate up to roughly 2–3° of static misalignment, but the sealed 1201-ETN9 (2RS1) allows less — the lip seal binds before the spherical raceway does.
- The ETN9 suffix on 1201-ETN9 denotes a glass-fibre-reinforced polyamide 66 cage: quiet and light at the 32000 r/min limiting speed, but it softens above roughly 120 °C — check the oil temperature in hot drives.
- Mount 1201-ETN9 by heating the inner ring (max 120 °C) on a cylindrical bore — driving it home through the outer ring or balls brinells the raceways.
- The fatigue load limit is 0.072 kN; it feeds the equivalent-mean-load check, not the basic life calculation — do not substitute one for the other.
- At 12 mm bore, C3 clearance is the safe choice when interference fits plus temperature rise consume the CN clearance; a hot tight bearing with no residual clearance fails fast.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of 1201-ETN9?
SKF 1201 ETN9 measures 12 mm bore × 32 mm OD × 10 mm width (0.472 × 1.26 × 0.394 in), mass about 40 g. It is open, with no shields or seals.
How does the bore code in 1201 work?
Codes 00–03 follow the exception table (10, 12, 15, 17 mm): 1201 fits a 12 mm shaft. Code × 5 starts at code 04.
What is the speed rating of 1201-ETN9?
SKF lists a 50000 r/min thermal reference speed and a 32000 r/min mechanical limiting speed for 1201 ETN9; real limits also depend on lubrication and fits.
How much misalignment can 1201-ETN9 tolerate?
Self-aligning ball bearings tolerate roughly 2–3° of static misalignment for open executions; sealed 2RS1 variants like 1201-ETN9 allow less (about 1°) because the seal lip binds first.
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.