Timken’s deep groove ball bearing catalogue covers standard 6000, thin-section 61000, narrow 16000, wide 62000–63000, and miniature and extra-small 600 series, with bore codes 00, 01, 02 and 03 corresponding to 10, 12, 15 and 17 mm and codes from 04 upward indicating the bore in millimetres as the code multiplied by 5 [S1].
The selection task is not simply finding a bearing with the correct bore: housing bore, outside diameter, width, load direction, speed, clearance, seals and mounting conditions determine whether a candidate is mechanically interchangeable [S2][S4].
What the 3–200 mm bore range actually includes
Metric bore codes make the range usable as a design resource, but they do not create one universal dimension table. Timken lists codes 00, 01, 02 and 03 for bores of 10, 12, 15 and 17 mm; from code 04 upward, the nominal bore in millimeters equals the code multiplied by 5 [S1].
A complete bearing dimension is normally written as bore d × outside diameter D × width B, with thrust-bearing tables using overall height T where applicable [S2].
The ball bearing reference should be used to identify the bearing family and its functional limits before any part number is accepted. A 3–200 mm statement is a bore envelope, not proof that every bearing in that interval is available from one catalogue or interchangeable with an installed unit.
Bore, outside diameter and width must match together
For example, a 6205 measures 25 × 52 × 15 mm, while a 6305 with the same 25 mm bore measures 25 × 62 × 17 mm [S2]. The 6305 therefore has a 10 mm larger outside diameter and is 2 mm wider, making it unsuitable as a drop-in replacement in a housing designed around the 6205.
The distinction grows through the common metric range. A 6206 is 30 × 62 × 16 mm, a 6306 is 30 × 72 × 19 mm, and a 6006 is 30 × 55 × 13 mm [S2][S5]. These three 30 mm-bore bearings differ by 17 mm in outside diameter and 6 mm in width, so bore alone cannot define interchangeability.
At 50 mm bore, the 6210, 6310 and 6010 measure 50 × 90 × 20 mm, 50 × 110 × 27 mm and 50 × 80 × 16 mm, respectively [S2][S5].
Series comparison for common mid-range duties
At a 25 mm bore, the 6205 measures 25 × 52 × 15 mm [S2].
At a 40 mm bore, the 6208 measures 40 × 80 × 18 mm [S2].
That comparison exposes the design trade: the wider 6300 series adds load capacity but consumes more housing space, while the narrower 6000 series is suited where compact envelope dimensions matter more. Load rating, bore, outside diameter and width must be checked together, while contamination protection and internal clearance remain separate selection variables [S2][S5].
Where deep groove, angular contact and thrust bearings diverge
Single-row deep groove ball bearings support radial loads and can accommodate axial loads in both directions within the design limits [S2]. This makes them the broad default for shafts that need one economical bearing type across a large bore range, but it does not make them suitable for every combination of radial and axial loading.
Angular-contact bearings are the stronger choice when axial capacity and stiffness govern the arrangement; their bore range and selection criteria are examined in Angular Contact Spindle Bearing Bore Range and Selection. Thrust ball bearings are intended for axial loading and use a different dimensional framework, with the cited chart covering 51100–51112 thrust bearings rather than the 6200 and 6300 deep-groove families [S2].
The dimensional tables cover NU204–NU212 cylindrical roller bearings, but the supplied excerpt does not provide individual NU205 dimensions or a locating-function limitation for the NU design [S2].
Configuration and clearance decide the service envelope
Deep groove bearings can be supplied open, shielded, contact-sealed, non-contact-sealed or with snap-ring features, although available configurations vary by size and series [S1]. Timken identifies Z as one shield, ZZ as two shields, RS as one contact seal, 2RS as two contact seals, RZ as one non-contact seal and 2RZ as two non-contact seals [S1].
Internal-clearance codes define another independent choice: C2 is tight, blank or C0 is normal, C3 is loose, C4 is extra loose and C5 is extra-extra loose [S1]. A 3 mm miniature bearing and a 200 mm industrial bearing may share a 3–200 mm procurement envelope while requiring different closure arrangements and clearance classes because their operating conditions differ.
The deep groove ball bearing design supports radial load plus a small axial load in both directions and is associated with high-speed capability, but the allowable speed and load still depend on the specific series, dimensions and operating condition [S1].
Standards, sourcing and interchange checks
Separately, the ISK dimensional table identifies ABEC, ISO 492, DIN 620 and JIS B1514 as the precision references associated with the listed 6000, 6200 and 6300 series [S5].
The required sourcing record is more than a nominal bore measurement. Capture bearing type, d, D, B or T, closure code, clearance class, cage material, dynamic and static load ratings, speed limit, lubrication method and shaft or housing tolerances [S1][S2]. The ceramic bearing option can change material and operating characteristics, so it should be specified as a deliberate configuration rather than treated as a like-for-like steel interchange.
For a replacement, inspect the installed shaft and housing before ordering, because lubricant condition, contamination, alignment and operating clearance can cause failures even when nominal dimensions match [S2]. A purchase approval covering the 3–200 mm bore interval should divide candidates by series, envelope and duty rather than treating the range as one interchangeable family.
The next trackable signal is the vendor or OEM dimension table for the exact bore band, with the search parameters set to d = 3–200 mm, followed by checks for D, B or T, clearance and closure before a part number is released.