A Deviating or modified internal design with same boundary dimensions.

As a rule the
significance of the letter is bound to the particular bearing or bearing series.

Examples:

 4210 A Double row deep groove ball bearing without filling slots
 3320 A Double row angular contact ball bearing without filling slots

AC Single row angular contact ball bearing with a 25° contact angle

ACD Single row angular contact ball bearing, optimized internal design, 25° contact angle

ADA Wide snap ring grooves in the outer ring; a two-piece inner ring held together by a retaining
ring

AS Needle roller bearing with lubrication hole(s) in the outer ring. A figure following the AS
indicates the number of holes

ASR Needle roller bearing with annular groove and lubrication hole(s) in the outer ring. A figure
following the ASR indicates the number of holes

Axx(x) A combined with a two or three-figure number identifies variants of the standard design
which cannot be identified by generally applicable suffixes

B 1. Deviating or modified internal design with same boundary dimensions.

As a rule the significance of the letter is bound to the particular bearing series

Examples:
o 7210 B Single row angular contact ball bearing with a 40° contact angle
o 32210 B Taper roller bearing with steep contact angle (steeper than 32210)
2. Taper roller bearing to ABMA standard with external flange on the outer ring

BE Single row angular contact ball bearing with a 40° contact angle and optimized internal
design

BEJ Single row angular contact ball bearing with a 40° contact angle and optimized internal
design, with ball centred pressed steel cage

BEM Single row angular contact ball bearing with a 40° contact angle and optimized internal
design, with machined brass cage

BEP Single row angular contact ball bearing with a 40° contact angle and optimized internal
design, with moulded cage of glass fibre reinforced polyamide 66

BEY Single row angular contact ball bearing with a 40° contact angle and optimized internal
design, with ball centred pressed brass cage
Bxx(x) B combined with a two or three-figure number identifies variants of the standard design that
cannot be identified by generally applicable suffixes

Example:

 B20 Reduced width tolerance

C 1. Deviating or modified internal design with same boundary dimensions. As a rule the
significance of the letter is bound to the particular bearing series

Examples:
o 7210 C Single row angular contact ball bearing with 15° contact angle
o 21306 C Spherical roller bearing with a flangeless inner ring, symmetrical
rollers, loose guide ring and a pressed window-type steel cage
2. Y-bearing with cylindrical outside diameter, e.g. YET 205 C

CA 1. Spherical roller bearing of C design, but with retaining flanges on the inner ring and
a machined cage
2. Single row angular contact ball bearing for universal matching. Two bearings
arranged back-to-back or face-to- face will have an axial internal clearance smaller than
Normal (CB) before mounting

CAC Spherical roller bearing of CA design but with enhanced roller guidance

CB 1. Single row angular contact ball bearing for universal matching. Two bearings
arranged back-to-back or face-to-face will have a Normal axial internal clearance before
mounting
2. Controlled axial clearance of a double row angular contact ball bearing

CC 1. Spherical roller bearing of C design but with enhanced roller guidance

2. Single row angular contact ball bearing for universal matching. Two bearings
arranged back-to-back or face-to-face will have an axial internal clearance larger than
Normal (CB) before mounting

CD Single row angular contact ball bearing, optimized internal design, 15° contact angle

CLN Tapered roller bearing with tolerances corresponding to ISO tolerance class 6X

CL0 Inch tapered roller bearing with tolerances to class 0 according to ANSI-ABMA Standard
19.2:1994

CL00 Inch tapered roller bearing with tolerances to class 00 according to ANSI-ABMA Standard
19.2:1994
CL3 Inch tapered roller bearing with tolerances to class 3 according to ANSI-ABMA Standard
19.2:1994

CL7C Tapered roller bearing with special frictional behaviour and heightened running accuracy

CN Normal internal clearance, normally only used together with an additional letter that
identifies a reduced or displaced clearance range

Examples:

 CNH Upper half of the Normal clearance range

 CNL Lower half of the Normal clearance range
 CNM Two middle quarters of the Normal clearance range
 CNP Upper half of the Normal and lower half of C3 clearance
 CNR Cylindrical roller bearings with Normal clearance range to DIN 620-4:1982

The above letters H, L, M and P are also used together with the clearance classes C2, C3, C4
and C5, e.g. C2H

CV Full complement cylindrical roller bearing with modified internal design

CS Sheet steel reinforced contact seal of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) on one side of the
bearing

2CS CS contact seal on both sides of the bearing

CS2 Sheet steel reinforced contact seal of fluoro rubber (FKM) on one side of the bearing

2CS2 CS2 contact seal on both sides of the bearing

CS5 Sheet steel reinforced contact seal of hydrogenated acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (HNBR) on
one side of the bearing

2CS5 CS5 contact seal on both sides of the bearing

C1 Bearing internal clearance smaller than C2

C2 Bearing internal clearance smaller than Normal

C3 Bearing internal clearance greater than Normal

C4 Bearing internal clearance greater than C3

C5 Bearing internal clearance greater than C4

C02 Reduced tolerance for running accuracy of inner ring of assembled bearing

C04 Reduced tolerance for running accuracy of outer ring of assembled bearing
C08 C02 + C04

C083 C02 + C04 + C3

C10 Reduced tolerance for the bore and outside diameters

D 1. Deviating or modified internal design with same boundary dimensions; as a rule the
significance of the letter is bound to the particular bearing series

Examples:
o 3310 D Double row angular contact ball bearing with a two-piece inner ring
o K 40×45×17 D Split needle roller and cage assembly (radial)
2. Inner ring with two roller and cage assemblies (double cone) or outer ring with two
raceways (double cup) of double row tapered roller bearing to ABMA standard (normally
inch-size)

DB Two single row deep groove ball bearings (1), single row angular contact ball bearings (2) or
single row tapered roller bearings matched for mounting in a back-to-back arrangement. The
letter(s) following the DB indicate the magnitude of the axial internal clearance or preload in
the bearing pair before mounting.
A Light preload (2)
B Moderate preload (2)
C Heavy preload (2)
CA Axial internal clearance smaller than Normal (CB) (1, 2)
CB Normal axial internal clearance (1, 2)
CC Axial internal clearance larger than Normal (CB) (1, 2)
C Special axial internal clearance in µm
GA Light preload (1)
GB Moderate preload (1)
G Special preload in daN

DF Two single row deep groove ball bearings, single row angular contact ball bearings or single
row tapered roller bearings matched for mounting in a face-to-face arrangement; the
letter(s) following the DF are explained under DB

DG Two single row angular contact ball bearings for universal pairing, i.e. paired for mounting in
a back-to-back, face-to-face or tandem arrangement; supplementary designations for axial
internal clearance and preload are explained under DB

DH Single direction thrust bearing with two housing washers

DR Two single row deep groove ball bearings or cylindrical roller bearings paired to achieve even
radial load distribution

DS 1. Single direction thrust bearing with two shaft washers

2. Split radial needle roller and cage assembly

DT Two single row deep groove ball bearings, single row angular contact ball bearings or single
row tapered roller bearings matched for mounting in a tandem arrangement; for paired
 tapered roller bearings the design and arrangement of the intermediate rings between the
inner and/or outer rings are identified by a two-figure number which follows immediately
after DT

D8 Deep groove ball bearing of open design, also available as standard with shields or seals, but
without seal recesses in the outer ring

E Deviating or modified internal design with same boundary dimensions; as a rule the
significance of the letter is bound to the particular bearing series; usually indicates reinforced
rolling element complement

Example:

 Single row angular contact ball bearing with a 40° contact angle and optimized
internal design

EC Single row cylindrical roller bearing with an optimized internal design and with modified roller
end/flange contact

ECA Spherical roller bearing of CA design but with reinforced rolling element complement

ECAC Spherical roller bearing of CAC design but with reinforced rolling element complement

Exx(x) E combined with a two or three-figure number identifies variants of the standard design
which cannot be identified by generally applicable suffixes

F Machined steel or special cast iron cage, rolling element centred; different designs or
material grades are identified by a figure following the F, e.g. F1

FA Machined steel or special cast iron cage; outer ring centred

FB Machined steel or special cast iron cage; inner ring centred

2F Y-bearing with plain flinger at both sides

G Single row angular contact ball bearing for universal matching. Two bearings arranged back-
to-back or face-to-face will have a "Normal" axial clearance

G.. Grease filling. A second letter indicates the temperature range of the grease and a third
letter identifies the actual grease. The significance of the second letter is as follows:
E Extreme pressure grease
F Food compatible grease
H, J High temperature grease, e.g. –20 to +130 °C
L Low temperature grease, e.g. –50 to +80 °C
M Medium temperature grease, e.g. –30 to +110 °C
W, X Low/high temperature grease, e.g. –40 to +140 °C
A figure following the three-letter grease code indicates that the filling degree deviates from
the standard: 1, 2 and 3 indicate smaller than standard, 4 to 9 a larger fill
 Examples:

 GEA Extreme pressure grease, standard fill

 GLB2 Low temperature grease, 15 to 25% fill

GA Single row angular contact ball bearing for universal matching. Two bearings arranged back-
to-back or face-to-face will have a light preload

GB Single row angular contact ball bearing for universal matching. Two bearings arranged back-
to-back or face-to-face will have a moderate preload

GC Single row angular contact ball bearing for universal matching.

Two bearings arranged back-to-back or face-to-face will have a heavy preload

GJN Grease with a polyurea thickener of consistency 2 to the NLGI Scale for a temperature range
–30 to +150 °C (normal fill grade)

GXN Grease with a polyurea thickener of consistency 2 to the NLGI Scale for a temperature range
–40 to +150 °C (normal fill grade)

H 1. Pressed snap-type steel cage, hardened

2. Needle roller bearing without inner ring with reduced inside diameter (under rollers)
tolerance; followed by tolerance limits in µ m, e.g. /H+20+27

HA Case-hardened bearing or bearing components. For closer identification HA is followed by one

of the following figures:
0 Complete bearing
1 Outer and inner rings
2 Outer ring
3 Inner ring
4 Outer ring, inner ring and rolling elements
5 Rolling elements
6 Outer ring and rolling elements
7 Inner ring and rolling elements

HB Bainite-hardened bearing or bearing component. For closer identification HB is followed by

one of the figures explained under HA

HC Bearing or bearing components of ceramic. For closer identification HC is followed by one of

the figures explained under HA

HE Bearing or bearing component of vacuum remelted steel. For closer identification HE is

followed by one of the figures explained under HA

HM Martensite-hardened bearing or bearing component. For closer identification HM is followed

by one of the figures explained under HA

HT Grease fill for high temperatures (e.g. –20 to +130 °C). HT or a two figure number following
 HT identifies the actual grease. Filling degrees other than standard are identified by a letter
or letter/figure combination following HTxx:
A Filling degree less than standard
B Filling degree greater than standard
C Filling degree greater than 70%
F1 Filling degree less than standard
F7 Filling degree greater than standard
F9 Filling degree greater than 70%

Examples:

 HTB, HT22 or HT24B

HV Bearing or bearing component of hardenable stainless steel. For closer identification HV is

followed by one of the figures explained under HA

IS Needle roller bearing with lubricating hole(s) in inner ring; a figure following IS identifies the
number of holes

ISR Needle roller bearing with annular groove and lubricating hole(s) in inner ring; a figure
following ISR identifies the number of holes

J Pressed steel cage, rolling element centred, unhardened; different designs are identified by a
figure, e.g. J1

JHA Pressed steel cage, hardened, outer ring centred

JR Cage comprising of two flat washers of unhardened steel, riveted together

JW Pressed steel cage, unhardened, welded

K Tapered bore, taper 1:12

K30 Tapered bore, taper 1:30

L Machined light alloy cage; different designs or materials are identified by a figure, e.g. L1

LA Machined light alloy cage, outer ring centred

LB Machined light alloy cage, inner ring centred

LHT Grease fill for low and high temperatures (e.g. –40 to +140 °C). A two-figure number
following LHT identifies the actual grease. An additional letter or letter/figure combination as
mentioned under "HT" identifies filling degrees other than standard.

Examples:
  LHT23, LHT23C or LHT23F7

LO Bearing without preservative, but coated with low viscosity oil; the actual oil is identified by
figures following the LO, e.g. LO10

LP Light alloy window-type cage, with punched or reamed pockets, inner or outer ring centred

LPS As LP but with lubrication grooves in the guiding surfaces

LS Contact seal of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) or polyurethane (AU) with or without

sheet steel reinforcement, on one side of the bearing

2LS LS contact seal on both sides of the bearing

LT Grease fill for low temperatures (e.g. –50 to +80 °C). LT or a two-figure number following LT
identifies the actual grease. An additional letter or letter/figure combination as mentioned
under "HT" identifies filling degrees other than standard.

Examples:

 LT, LT10 or LTF1

L4B Bearing rings and rolling elements with special surface coating

L5B Rolling elements with special surface coating

L5DA NoWear bearing with coated rolling elements

L7DA NoWear bearing with coated rolling elements and inner ring raceway(s)

M Machined brass cage, rolling element centred; different designs or material grades are
identified by a figure or a letter , e.g. M2, MC

MA Machined brass cage, outer ring centred

MAS As MA but with lubrication grooves in the guiding surfaces

MB Machined brass cage, inner ring centred

MBS As MB but with lubrication grooves in the guiding surfaces

ML Machined one-piece window-type brass cage, inner or outer ring centred

MO Bearing without preservative, but coated with medium viscosity oil; the actual oil is identified
by figures following the MO, e.g. MO10
MP Machined one-piece window-type brass cage, with punched or reamed pockets, inner or
outer ring centred

MPS As MP but with lubrication grooves in the guiding surfaces

MR Machined one-piece window-type brass cage, rolling element centred

MT Grease fill for medium temperatures (e.g. –30 to +110 °C). A two-figure number following
MT identifies the actual grease. An additional letter or letter/figure combination as mentioned
under "HT" identifies filling degrees other than standard.

Examples:

 MT33 or MT37F9

N Snap ring groove in the outer ring

NR Snap ring groove in the outer ring with appropriate snap ring

N1 One locating slot (notch) in one outer ring side face or housing washer

N2 Two locating slots (notches) 180° apart in one outer ring side face or housing washer

P Injection moulded cage of glass fibre reinforced polyamide 66, rolling element centred

PA9 Dimensional and running accuracy to ABMA tolerance class ABEC 9 (better than P4)

PA9A As PA9

PA9B As PA9 but running accuracy better than ABMA tolerance class ABEC 9

PH Injection moulded cage of glass fibre reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK), rolling element
centred

PHA Injection moulded cage of glass fibre reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK), outer ring
centred

PHAS Injection moulded cage of glass fibre reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK), outer ring
centred, lubrication grooves in the guiding surfaces

PP Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber contact seals at both sides of track runner bearing

PPA Axial slide rings of polyamide 66 at both sides of track runner bearing and improved profile of
the runner surface

P4 Dimensional and running accuracy to ISO tolerance class 4

P4A Dimensional accuracy to ISO tolerance class 4 and running accuracy to ABMA tolerance class
ABEC 9

P5 Dimensional and running accuracy to ISO tolerance class 5

P6 Dimensional and running accuracy to ISO tolerance class 6

P43 P4 + C3

P52 P5 + C2

P62 P6 + C2

P63 P6 + C3

Q Optimized internal geometry and surface finish (tapered roller bearing)

QBC Set of four matched deep groove or angular contact ball bearings; two bearings arranged
back-to-back with the other two arranged outside the back-to-back pair in tandem with
them, i.e. two tandem pairs arranged back-to-back

QBT Set of four matched deep groove or angular contact ball bearings; two bearings arranged
back-to-back and the other two in tandem at one side of the back-to-back pair, i.e. three
bearings in tandem and back-to-back with fourth bearing

QFC Set of four matched deep groove or angular contact ball bearings; as /QBC but with central
pair arranged face-to-face, i.e. two tandem pairs arranged face-to-face

QFT Set of four matched deep groove or angular contact ball bearings; as /QBT but with face-to-
face pair at one side, i.e. three bearings in tandem and face-to-face with fourth bearing

QR Set of four single row deep groove ball or cylindrical roller bearing matched for equal
distribution of radial load

QT Set of four matched deep groove or angular contact ball bearings arranged in tandem

R 1. Integral external outer ring flange

2. Crowned runner surface (track runner bearing)

RF Rubberised flinger (pressed steel flinger with vulcanised rubber sealing lip) at one side of Y-
bearing

2RF RF flinger at both sides of Y-bearing

RS Contact seal of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NRB) with or without sheet steel

reinforcement on one side of the bearing
2RS RS contact seal on both sides of the bearing

RS1 Sheet steel reinforced contact seal of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) on one side of the
bearing

2RS1 RS1 contact seal on both sides of the bearing

RS1Z Sheet steel reinforced contact seal of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) on one side and
one shield on the other side of the bearing

RS2 Sheet steel reinforced contact seal of fluoro rubber (FKM) on one side of the bearing

2RS2 RS2 contact seal on both sides of the bearing

RSH Sheet steel reinforced contact seal of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) on one side of the
bearing

2RSH RSH contact seal on both sides of the bearing

RSL Sheet steel reinforced low-friction contact seal of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) on one
side of the bearing

2RSL RSL low-friction contact seal on both sides of the bearing

RZ Sheet steel reinforced low-friction seal of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR)

2RZ RZ low-friction seal on both sides of the bearing

SM Needle roller bearing with grease. The two-figure number following identifies the actual
grease

SORT Tolerance grade of needle rollers of a needle roller and cage assembly; the figures following
give the actual limits in μm, e.g. /SORT-2-4

SP Special tolerance class for machine tool spindle bearings; dimensional accuracy
approximately to ISO tolerance class 5 and running accuracy approximately to ISO tolerance
class 4

S0 Bearing rings or washers dimensionally stabilized for use at operating temperatures up to

+150 °C

S1 Bearing rings or washers dimensionally stabilized for use at operating temperatures up to

+200 °C

S2 Bearing rings or washers dimensionally stabilized for use at operating temperatures up to

+250 °C

S3 Bearing rings or washers dimensionally stabilized for use at operating temperatures up to

 +300 °C

S4 Bearing rings or washers dimensionally stabilized for use at operating temperatures up to

+350 °C

T Window-type cage of fabric reinforced phenolic resin, rolling element centred

TA Window-type cage of fabric reinforced phenolic resin, outer ring centred

TB Window-type cage of fabric reinforced phenolic resin, inner ring centred

TBT Set of three matched single row deep groove or angular contact ball bearings; two bearings
arranged back-to-back and the third in tandem

TFT Set of three matched single row deep groove or angular contact ball bearings; two bearings
arranged face-to-face and the third in tandem

TH Snap-type cage of fabric reinforced phenolic resin, rolling element centred

TN Injection moulded cage of polyamide 66, rolling element centred; for needle roller bearings,
the cage is glass fibre reinforced

TNH Injection moulded cage of glass fibre reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK), rolling element
centred

TNHA Injection moulded cage of glass fibre reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK), outer ring
centred

TN9 Injection moulded cage of glass fibre reinforced polyamide 66, rolling element centred

TR Three single row deep groove ball or cylindrical roller bearings, matched to give equal
distribution of radial load

TT Set of three matched single row deep groove or angular contact ball bearings arranged in
tandem

U 1. U combined with a one-figure number identifies a taper roller bearing, cone or cup,
with reduced width tolerance.

Examples:
o U2: Width tolerance 0+0,05/0 mm
o U4: Width tolerance 0+0,10/0 mm
2. Y-bearing without locking collar
3. Y-bearing locking collar without grub screw

UP Special tolerance class for machine tool spindle bearings; dimensional accuracy
approximately to ISO tolerance class 4 and running accuracy better than ISO class 4
V Full complement bearing (without cage)

V... V combined with a second letter, identifies a variant group, and followed by a three- or four-
figure number denotes variants not covered by "standard" designation suffixes. Examples:
VA Application oriented variants
VB Boundary dimension deviations
VE External or internal deviations
VL Coatings
VQ Quality and tolerances other than standard
VS Clearance and preload
VT Lubrication
VU Miscellaneous applications

VA201 Bearing for high-temperature applications (e.g. kiln trucks)

VA208 Bearing for high-temperature applications

VA216 Bearing for high-temperature applications

VA228 Bearing for high-temperature applications

VA301 Bearing for traction motors

VA305 Bearing for traction motors + special inspection routines

VA309 Bearing for traction motors with aluminium oxide coated outside surface of outer ring for
1 electrical resistance up to 1 000 V DC

VA320 Bearing for railway axleboxes according to EN 12080:1998

VA350 Bearing for railway axleboxes

VA380 Bearing for railway axleboxes according to EN 12080:1998

VA405 Bearing for vibratory applications

VA406 Bearing for vibratory applications with special PTFE bore coating

VA701 Bearing for paper machines

VA820 Bearing for railway axleboxes according to EN 12080:1998

VC025 Bearing with specially debris-heat-treated components for applications in heavily

contaminated environments

VE240 CARB bearing modified for greater axial displacement

VE447 Shaft washer with three equally spaced threaded holes in one side face to accommodate
 hoisting tackle

VE552 Outer ring with three equally spaced threaded holes in one side face to accommodate
hoisting tackle

VE553 Outer ring with three equally spaced threaded holes in both side faces to accommodate
hoisting tackle

VE632 Housing washer with three equally spaced threaded holes in one side face to accommodate
hoisting tackle

VG114 Surface-hardened pressed steel cage

VH Full complement cylindrical roller bearing with self-retaining roller set

VGS Inner ring raceway of cylindrical and needle roller bearings pre-ground only, for cylindrical
roller bearings replaced by /VU001

VL024 Aluminium oxide coated outside surface of outer ring for electrical resistance up to 1 000 V
1 DC

VL027 Aluminium oxide coated outside surface of inner ring for electrical resistance up to 1 000 V
1 DC

VQ015 Inner ring with crowned raceway for increased permissible misalignment

VQ424 Running accuracy better than C08

VT143 Extreme pressure grease with a lithium thickener of consistency 2 to the NLGI Scale for a
temperature range –20 to +110 °C (normal fill grade)

VT378 Food grade grease with an aluminium thickener of consistency 2 to the NLGI Scale for a
temperature range –25 to +120 °C (normal fill grade)

VU001 Preground raceways

W Without annular groove and lubrication holes in outer ring

WT Grease fill for low as well as high temperatures (e.g. –40 to +160 °C). WT or a two-figure
number following WT identifies the actual grease. An additional letter or letter/ figure
combination as mentioned under “HT” identifies filling degrees other than standard.

Examples:

 WT or WTF1

W20 Three lubrication holes in the outer ring

W26 Six lubrication holes in the inner ring

W33 Annular groove and three lubrication holes in the outer ring

W33X Annular groove and six lubrication holes in the outer ring

W513 Six lubrication holes in the inner ring and annular groove and three lubrication holes in the
outer ring

W518 Six lubrication holes in inner ring and three lubrication holes in outer ring

W64 Solid Oil filling

W77 Plugged W33 lubrication holes

X 1. Boundary dimensions altered to conform to ISO standards

2. Cylindrical runner surface (track runner bearings)

Y Pressed brass cage, rolling element centred; different designs or material grades are
identified by a figure following the Y, e.g. Y1

Z 1. Combined needle roller bearings with cover

2. Shield of pressed sheet steel on one side of the bearing

2Z Z-shield on both sides of the bearing

ZW Double row needle roller and cage assembly