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On this page What it checks
  1. What it checks
  2. How the bearing number decoder works
  3. Related resources
  4. FAQ

Bearing Designation Decoder

Free bearing number decoder: paste an ISO designation and instantly read bore, series, width, and clearance. Runs in your browser, no upload.

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This bearing number decoder breaks an ISO bearing designation such as 6205-2RS C3 into its component fields — type, dimension series, bore, suffixes — so you can enrich a product record with structured, searchable attributes instead of one opaque part string. It is built for distributors and MRO catalog teams who receive bearings from dozens of suppliers and need consistent specs across every line.

Bearing Designation Decoder

The interactive version of this tool is coming soon. It will run entirely in your browser — no login, no upload limits.

Planned tool: bearing number decoder

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What it checks

Paste a designation and the decoder parses and explains each segment of the code:

  • Bearing type — the leading digit or prefix (for example 6 deep-groove ball, 2/3 spherical roller, 7 angular contact, N/NU cylindrical roller, 2 tapered when prefixed).
  • Dimension series — width/height series and diameter series that together set the outer diameter and width for a given bore.
  • Bore code — the standard rule where bore codes 00, 01, 02, 03 map to 10, 12, 15, 17 mm, and codes from 04 upward are multiplied by 5 to give the bore in millimetres.
  • Seal and shield suffixes — 2RS/2RSR (contact seals both sides), ZZ/2Z (metal shields), RS (one side), and open variants.
  • Internal clearance — C2, CN, C3, C4 and similar codes that affect fit and running behaviour.
  • Cage, precision, and lubrication suffixes — common modifiers that distinguish otherwise identical bore-and-series records.
  • Format validity — whether the string is a plausible ISO designation or a manufacturer-specific code the parser cannot fully resolve.

How the bearing number decoder works

The tool applies the metric bearing designation system defined in ISO 15 (boundary dimensions) and ISO 76/ISO 355 conventions used across the industry. A designation is read left to right: the type and series prefix, then the two-digit bore code, then an ordered set of suffixes. The decoder uses the published bore-code arithmetic — fixed values for 00–03, then code x 5 from 04 up — and a lookup of common type, seal, and clearance suffixes to label each segment in plain language.

Because suffix conventions vary slightly between manufacturers, the decoder flags any segment it cannot confidently resolve rather than guessing. That is the same discipline you want in catalog enrichment generally: a value is only as trustworthy as the rule or source behind it. See data normalization for why consistent parsing matters before matching or publishing.

All processing happens client-side in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, stored, or sent to a server — paste a single code or a column of thousands and it stays on your machine. That makes it safe for pre-release supplier price files and confidential MRO catalogs.

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Glossary

What Is Data Normalization?

The concept behind decoding part strings into consistent, comparable attribute fields.

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FAQ

How do you read a bearing number like 6205?

Read it left to right. The 6 is the type (deep-groove ball). The 2 is the dimension series, which sets the outer diameter and width band. The final 05 is the bore code: codes 00–03 map to 10/12/15/17 mm, and from 04 up you multiply by 5 — so 05 means a 25 mm bore.

What does 2RS or ZZ mean on a bearing?

They are seal and shield suffixes. 2RS (sometimes 2RSR) means contact rubber seals on both sides, ZZ or 2Z means metal shields on both sides, and a single RS or Z means the closure is on one side only. Open bearings carry no such suffix.

What is bearing clearance C3?

C3 is an internal radial clearance class greater than the standard (CN) clearance. Codes run roughly C2 (tighter) through C5 (looser). Higher clearance is often specified for press fits or applications that run hot, where the bearing expands in use.

Can I decode bearings in bulk for a catalog feed?

Yes. Paste a whole column of designations and the decoder parses each row, returning bore, series, seal, and clearance as separate fields. Because it runs entirely in your browser, you can process large or confidential files without uploading anything.

Does decoding confirm two bearings are interchangeable?

No. Matching designations is a strong signal, but interchangeability also depends on tolerance class, cage material, lubrication, and load rating. Use the decoder to standardize and compare records, then confirm any substitution against the manufacturer datasheet.

Updated June 9, 2026