Rolling Bearing Selection Reference (ISO 15) — Deep-Groove, Angular Contact, Tapered Roller, Spherical Roller
Selection reference compiled by cBallast. 6-page PDF; the full content is on this page.
Compiled by
cBallast
Subject
Rolling bearing
Document type
Selection reference
Reference
ISO 15 : 2017
Issued
2026-07-14
Pages
6
Format
Web page and PDF
Rolling bearing selection reference for industrial and marine service. Covers the four dominant bearing types (deep-groove ball, angular-contact ball, tapered roller, spherical roller), ISO 15 dimension-series coding (bore code, diameter series, width series), standard bore range 10 to 320 mm, radial vs axial load capacity, limiting speed, precision class (P0 / P6 / P5 / P4 / P2), interior clearance class (C2 / CN / C3 / C4 / C5), and cage material (steel / brass / polyamide). Includes SKF / FAG / NSK / NTN cross-reference for the most-stocked SKUs.
ISO 15 dimension-series code — how a bearing number is built
A rolling bearing designation is a compact code that fully identifies the bearing envelope. Example: 6208-2RSH/C3 reads as: 6 = deep-groove single-row ball; 2 = light dimension series (02); 08 = bore code (bore 08 × 5 = 40 mm); -2RSH = two-side contact rubber seal; /C3 = internal clearance class C3 (looser than normal). Every element is standardised so a 6208 bearing from any ISO-15-compliant manufacturer fits the same housing bore, shaft seat and axial location.
Bore code decode
Bore code
Bore (mm)
Bore code
Bore (mm)
00
10
05
25
01
12
06
30
02
15
07
35
03
17
08 onwards
code × 5 mm
04
20
96
480 mm
Bearing type — pick by loading
Type
Series
Radial load
Axial load
Speed
Typical use
Deep-groove ball
60xx / 62xx / 63xx
Moderate
Both directions, light
High
Electric motors, pumps, gearboxes
Angular-contact ball
70xx / 72xx / 73xx
Moderate
One direction, high (paired for both)
Very high
Machine-tool spindles, pumps
Self-aligning ball
12xx / 22xx
Moderate
Very light
Moderate
Long shafts with misalignment
Cylindrical roller
NUP / NU / N / NJ
High
Locating types NUP/NJ carry light
Very high
Gearbox output, rolling mill
Tapered roller
30xxx / 32xxx / 33xxx
High
High, one direction (paired for both)
Moderate
Automotive hubs, gearbox pinion
Spherical roller
22xxx / 23xxx / 24xxx
Very high
Both directions, moderate
Moderate
Vibrating screens, marine deck
Needle roller
NA / NK / RNA
Very high (compact)
None
Moderate
Small planetary, gearshift
Thrust ball
512xx / 513xx
None
Very high, one direction
Low
Vertical shafts, jacks
Spherical thrust roller
292xx / 293xx / 294xx
Light
Very high, one direction
Low
Hydraulic press, extruder
Precision class (ISO 492)
ISO class
DIN 620 (older EU)
ABMA (older US)
Typical use
P0 (normal)
P0
ABEC 1
General industrial
P6
P6
ABEC 3
Improved-precision
P5
P5
ABEC 5
Machine-tool auxiliary
P4
P4
ABEC 7
Machine-tool spindle
P2
P2
ABEC 9
High-precision spindle, aerospace
Internal clearance class
Radial internal clearance is the free radial movement between the rings before mounting. Clearance drops after mounting due to shaft-fit expansion and closes further with heat. Choose the clearance class that leaves usable operating clearance at the anticipated running temperature.
Class
vs. Normal
Typical use
C2
Reduced
Light interference fits, low-heat service
CN (Normal)
Standard
General service
C3
Greater than Normal
Electric motors, hot service, moderate misalignment
C4
Greater than C3
Heavy interference fits, high heat
C5
Greater than C4
Extreme heat, thermal cycling
Cage material
Pressed steel (default) — designation suffix J or none. General service to 120 °C.
Machined brass — suffix M or MA. High-load large bearings, high-speed rotation, service to 250 °C.
Polyamide (nylon 66) — suffix TN9 or TVP. Low friction, quiet, service to 120 °C only.
Solid brass with silver plating — suffix M/HA. High-speed spindles.