Bearing Cross-Reference Table — SKF, FAG, NSK, NTN, Koyo, ZVL & Timken

A bearing cross-reference table is a lookup document that maps the designation of the same standard bearing across different manufacturers — SKF, FAG, NSK, NTN, Koyo, ZVL, and Timken. Its purpose: help engineers and procurement teams identify equivalent replacement codes when supply is disrupted, or when comparing prices across suppliers for identical specifications.

In plant operations across Vietnam, cross-referencing bearing numbers happens daily. A European pump uses SKF, but the warehouse only stocks FAG or ZVL. A Japanese gearbox specifies NSK, but the nearest distributor carries NTN. The tables below consolidate over 200 commonly used bearing codes across 7 bearing types and 7 brands. All basic designations follow ISO 15 (radial bearings) and ISO 355 (tapered roller bearings), so mounting dimensions d x D x B are identical across manufacturers. Differences lie in suffixes — seals, shields, clearance, cage material — and in internal geometry affecting load ratings C, C₀.

How to Use a Bearing Cross-Reference Chart

Every bearing code consists of three parts: prefix, basic designation, and suffix. For a detailed breakdown, see how to read bearing designations.

Basic designations are identical across all brands. Example: 6205 means deep groove ball bearing, dimension series 02, bore diameter d = 25 mm. This code is identical at SKF, FAG, NSK, NTN, Koyo, and ZVL — all follow the same ISO standard.

Prefixes differ but do not affect dimensions. NSK adds "HR" before tapered roller bearing codes (HR32205J), NTN uses "4T-" (4T-32205). These are brand identifiers only.

Suffixes differ and REQUIRE careful cross-referencing. Contact rubber seal on both sides: 2RSH (SKF), 2RS (FAG), DDU (NSK), LLU (NTN), 2RS (Koyo), 2RS (ZVL). The complete suffix table is in Section 7.

3-step process:

1. Strip to basic designation — remove prefix and suffix (SKF 6205-2RSH becomes 6205)
2. Find the basic designation in the table — identical across all brands
3. Convert the suffix — use the suffix table to translate (2RSH becomes DDU when switching SKF to NSK)

Note: Equivalent designations mean identical mounting dimensions. Load ratings C, C₀ vary by 3–8% between brands on the same code. On 6208: C ranges from 29.1 to 32.5 kN depending on brand. Always verify with the official catalog before substituting.

Deep Groove Ball Bearings

Deep groove ball bearings (62xx and 63xx series) account for approximately 40% of all bearings in industrial use. The table covers the 6200–6212 range — the most popular sizes in the Vietnamese market. Dimensions d x D x B are identical per ISO 15.

Sealed version (2RS):

Shielded version (ZZ/2Z):

The 63xx series (heavy series) shares the same bore diameter but has a larger outer ring, delivering 20–30% higher dynamic load rating C. Cross-referencing rules are identical — replace "62" with "63" in all codes. ZVL follows ISO conventions for both designations and suffixes, requiring no conversion.

Cylindrical Roller Bearings

Cylindrical roller bearings (NU, NJ, NUP series) handle higher radial loads than ball bearings of the same size thanks to line contact. NU = two ribs on outer ring, allowing axial displacement. NJ = one rib on inner ring. NUP = rib plus thrust collar on inner ring.

Suffix notes: SKF ECP = optimized polyamide cage. FAG E-XL-TVP2 = enhanced load (E), X-life (XL), roller-guided polyamide cage (TVP2). NSK ET = snap-type polyamide cage. NTN, Koyo, ZVL, Timken — standard versions carry no special suffix. To convert between NJ/NUP: replace the NU prefix, keep suffixes unchanged.

Tapered Roller Bearings

Tapered roller bearings (322xx, 302xx series) handle combined radial and one-direction axial loads. This type has the largest designation differences across brands — particularly Timken, which uses an inch-based numbering system. Metric codes per ISO 355 are listed below.

322xx Series

Suffix notes: SKF J2/Q = pressed steel cage (J2), optimized quality (Q). FAG -A = current standard design. NSK HR...J = HR (High Reliability prefix), J (pressed steel cage). NTN 4T- = metric tapered roller prefix. Koyo JR = pressed steel cage. ZVL A = standard ISO design.

302xx Series

On Timken: The original Timken system uses inch-based codes (e.g., SET 47 = LM102949/LM102910). Timken also produces metric ISO codes, but the U.S. market still relies on inch designations. No direct conversion formula exists — consult the Timken catalog.

ZVL is particularly strong in large tapered roller bearings for heavy industry — steel rolling, mining, gearboxes. ZVL designations follow ISO fully, making them the simplest to cross-reference.

Spherical Roller Bearings

Spherical roller bearings (222xx, 230xx series) are self-aligning heavy-duty bearings accommodating misalignment up to 2–3 degrees. The 22220 EK/C3 (d=100, D=180, B=46, C=365 kN) is common in industrial fans, crushers, conveyors, and steel rolling mills.

222xx Series

230xx Series (wider, heavier load capacity)

Suffix notes: SKF E = reinforced load; CC/W33 = two-piece steel cage + outer ring lubrication groove. FAG E1-XL = new generation X-life; K-M = tapered bore + brass cage. NSK EAE4 = reinforced + new polyamide cage. NTN EKD1 = reinforced + optimized design. ZVL EW33J = reinforced + lubrication groove + steel cage.

When substituting spherical roller bearings, verify three factors: (1) cylindrical vs. tapered bore (K/K30), (2) outer ring lubrication groove (W33), (3) cage material. Wrong cage material above 120 degrees C can cut service life by 5,000 hours or more.

Angular Contact Ball Bearings

Angular contact ball bearings (72xx, 73xx series) have a contact angle of 25 or 40 degrees, handling combined radial and axial loads. Common in machine tool spindles, pumps, and compressors.

Suffix notes: B = 40-degree contact angle (common across all brands). SKF BECBP = optimized load + ball-guided polyamide cage. FAG B-XL-TVP = X-life + polyamide cage. NSK BEAT85 = high contact angle + polyamide rated to 85 degrees C.

Angular contact bearings are typically mounted in pairs (back-to-back DB, face-to-face DF, tandem DT). When replacing, both bearings in a pair must come from the same brand and production lot. Do not mix brands within a pair.

Thrust Ball Bearings

Thrust ball bearings (511xx series) handle pure axial loads only, consisting of two thrust washers and a ball-and-cage assembly. Designations are 100% identical across all brands per ISO 104 — no special suffixes.

The 512xx (bidirectional) series and cylindrical roller thrust bearings (811xx) follow the same rules. Spherical roller thrust bearings (292xx, 293xx) have more complex suffixes following the conventions of their radial spherical roller counterparts.

Bearing Suffix Cross-Reference Table

Suffixes are the most significant difference between brands. Basic designations are identical per ISO, but seal, shield, clearance, and cage symbols vary by manufacturer.

Seals and Shields

Internal Clearance

Internal clearance suffixes per ISO 5753 are identical across all brands. The simplest part to cross-reference.

Cage Material

Tapered Bore

Full suffix combination examples

Deep groove ball bearing 6208, contact seal both sides, C3 clearance:

Spherical roller bearing 22220, tapered bore, lubrication groove, brass cage:

Real-World Cross-Reference Scenarios

At a steel mill in Hai Phong, a German gearbox originally used FAG NU 2216-E-TVP2/C3. Only SKF and ZVL were in stock. The basic designation NU 2216 is identical. The FAG suffix E-TVP2 corresponds to SKF's ECP — both indicate enhanced polymer cage. The engineer selected SKF NU 2216 ECP/C3 — dimensions d80 x D140 x B26 match exactly, C rating differs by 2%. The gearbox operated normally through 16,000 hours per SKF Rolling Bearings Catalogue (PUB BU/P1 10000/2 EN).

At a packaging line in Binh Duong province, an NTN motor used 6306LLU/C3. Only ZVL was available locally. Suffix lookup: LLU (NTN) = 2RS (ZVL) = contact rubber seal both sides. The engineer ordered ZVL 6306 2RS C3 — perfect fit, motor running smoothly. Cost was significantly more competitive than the original NTN.

Substitution Warnings

Load ratings C and C₀ vary by 3–8%. Example on 6205: SKF reports C = 14.8 kN, NSK reports C = 14.0 kN, ZVL reports C = 14.8 kN. A 5% difference in C translates to 15–20% difference in L₁₀ life because L₁₀ is proportional to (C/P) cubed per ISO 281. See bearing life calculation.

Limiting speeds differ by 10–15%. The 6205 ranges from 15,000 rpm (ZVL) to 20,000 rpm (SKF Explorer). Critical for CNC spindles and high-speed electric motors.

Internal geometry differs. SKF Explorer and FAG X-life deliver 15–25% higher C on the same boundary dimensions. Same code, different performance and price.

Factory-fill grease differs. SKF uses LGMT 2/3 (range minus 30 to 120 degrees C). FAG uses Arcanol MULTI 2/3. NSK uses NS7 or EA7. Different greases mean different temperature limits and grease life.

5 verification steps before substituting:

1. Confirm d x D x B — must match exactly
2. Compare C and C₀ — acceptable under 5%; over 5%, recalculate L₁₀
3. Check limiting speed — must equal or exceed actual operating speed
4. Confirm suffix equivalence — seals, shields, clearance, cage
5. Verify authenticity — buy from authorized distributors, identify genuine vs. counterfeit

Do not cross-substitute:

• CNC spindle bearings (matched preload and internal geometry required)
• Angular contact bearing pairs — same brand, same production lot
• Applications with precision class P5 or higher
• Premium lines: SKF Explorer, FAG X-life, NSK Molded-Oil

Official lookup tools: SKF Bearing Select | Schaeffler medias | NTN Bearing Search | NSK Part Number Search

See also: how to choose a bearing | SKF vs FAG vs NSK vs ZVL comparison | SKF bearings | FAG bearings | NSK bearings | NTN bearings | Timken bearings | ZVL bearings