SKF bearing prefixes and suffixes


The designations of most SKF bearings follow a system that consists of a basic SKF designation with or without one or more prefixes and suffixes. Prefixes and suffixes provide additional information about SKF bearing.

  • Prefixes are mainly used to identify components of a bearing. They can also identify bearing variants.
  • Suffixes identify designs or variants, which differ in some way from the original design or from the current basic design. The suffixes are divided into groups.

SKF bearing designation system
1: Prefixes
2: Basic designation
3: Suffix - Internal design
4: Suffix - External design (seals, snap ring groove, etc.)
5: Suffix - Cage design
6.1: Suffix - Materials, heat treatment
6.2: Suffix - Tolerance, clearance, preload, quiet running
6.3: Suffix - Bearing sets, matched bearings
6.4: Suffix - Stabilization
6.5: Suffix - Lubrication
6.6: Suffix - Other variants