How to Identify Bearings by Bearing Number –

Calculation and Nomenclature

If you know the Bearing nomenclature procedure and its simple calculations, you can easily
identify and decode Bearing details by its Bearing number.

A Bearing number contains many hidden information about the bearing in itself. The bearing no
(pattern number) provide us enough details about the bearing silently. In this post, we will discuss
about How to Identify Bearings by Bearing Number.

Let us take an example to understand the bearing nomenclature more easily. Suppose, we have a
bearing whose patt no is 6305ZZ. Let us divide it in sub components. Here ‘6‘ indicate bearing
type. There are few companies which use their separate identifying nomenclature. However, most
of them follow a common standard for bearing nomenclature.

Fig. 1 – Bearing Number Nomenclature

Table of Contents

 1 Types of Bearings and Their Code

 2 Bearing Series and Their Code
 3 Bore size of Bearing
 4 Shielding/Sealing/Specialty of Bearing
Types of Bearings and Their Code

Fig. 2 – Types of Bearings and their Codes

Thus, we can easily identify now that in case of bearing 6305ZZ, the first digit ‘6‘ means the
bearing type is ‘Single row deep groove ball bearing’.

In case of Inch bearings, the bearing’s first digit will be ‘R’. After ‘R’, the size of the bearing will
be given in 1/16th of an inch. To understand it better, Lets take an example of Inch bearing.
Suppose, we have R4-3RS bearing. Here, R4 means, it is an inch bearing whose bore size is 4/16th
or you can say 1/4th of an inch.
Bearing Series and Their Code
The second digit of a bearing patter number indicates the bearing series. Series of a bearing denotes
the toughness of the bearing. They are:

Fig. 3 – Series (Toughness) of Bearing

Thus, we can identify now that in case of bearing 6305ZZ, the second digit ‘3‘ means the bearing
is of medium toughness.

Bore size of Bearing

The third and fourth digit of bearing patter number indicates the bore size of bearing. It is the inner
diameter of the bearing and measured in millimeters. In general, the bore size is equal to five times
the third and forth digit of bearing’s patter number. However, from ‘0’ to ‘3’, this formula does
not imply. The bore size indicated by ‘0’ to ‘3’ are :

Fig. 4 – Bore size of bearing

Note : In case there is no fourth digit, then the 3rd digit indicates the bore size in mm. For example:
in case of bearing 636, the bore size of the bearing will be 6mm.

Thus, we can identify now that in case of bearing 6305ZZ, the third and fourth digit ‘05’ means
the bearing’s bore size is 25 mm.

Shielding/Sealing/Specialty of Bearing
The last letters of the bearing indicates the availability/unavailability/type of shielding or sealing
and other specialty in the bearing. The various types of indications are:

Fig. 5 – Sealing/Shielding/Any other details of Bearing

Thus, we can identify now that in case of bearing 6305ZZ, the last letters ‘ZZ’ means the bearing
is shielded from both sides.

Coming to the conclusion, we can now easily decode bearing number of most of the bearings.
Here, Bearing 6305ZZ means “it is a Single row deep groove ball bearing having medium
toughness, with a bore size of 25 mm and is shielded from both sides.

Interesting???? Isnt it? Its fun to decode bearing number. Try some more bearings pattern no and
check how accurate you are.