Tolerances for Shafts

Important Condition: Shaft and ball bearing must be made of the same material; otherwise the different coefficients of thermal expansion1 must be taken into account.

Shaft Tolerance Selection Guide

Shaft Load / speeds Fit Tolerance d of the ball bearings Accuracy of the assembly Typical applications the inner ring
0 / –5 μm Sorting
0 / –2.5 –2.5 / –5
Tolerance shaft (μm)
Rotating or fixed
(alternating)
Low loads, low to medium speeds,
no vibrations
Sliding fit –5 –5 –8 Normal accuracy without special requirements Guides fixed
–11 –8 –11 Normal accuracy; the inner ring must be laterally displaceable (expansion) Brakes, clutches fixed
fixed Medium load, medium speed,
high frequency vibrations
Press fit 0 0 –3 Precise radial. Radial rigidity Gyroscopes fixed
rotating Low loads, medium speed,
low frequency vibrations
–6 –3 –6 Normal accuracy Small motors, potentiometers, servomotors free
fixed High loads, high speeds,
high frequency vibrations
Press fit +4 +4 +1 The tight fit must be guaranteed at high speeds.
High radial rigidity
Rotors, fans, electric motors free
rotating Medium to high loads, high speeds,
high frequency vibrations
–2 +1 –2

Note: 0 / –5 μm is the myonic bearing bore d tolerance grade; 0 / –2.5 and –2.5 / –5 are the two sortings within this grade. The three "Tolerance shaft" values in the table are the shaft tolerances (μm) required when mating with the corresponding grade / sorting.

Tolerances for Housing Fits

Important Condition: Housing and ball bearing must be made of the same material; otherwise the different coefficients of thermal expansion1 must be taken into account.

Housing Fit Tolerance Selection Guide

Outer ring Load / speeds Fit Tolerance D of the ball bearings Accuracy of the assembly Typical applications
0 / –5 μm Sorting
0 / –2.5 –2.5 / –5
Tolerance housing (μm)
Rotating or fixed
(alternating)
Low loads, low to medium speeds,
no vibrations
Sliding fit +5 +5 +2 Normal accuracy without special requirements.
Fans; the outer ring must be laterally displaceable (expansion)
Electric motors, servomotors, potentiometers
–1 +2 –1
fixed Medium load, medium speed,
high frequency vibrations
Press fit 0 0 –3 Precise radial guidance, radial rigidity.
The outer ring must be laterally fixed
Synchronous motors, gyro suspensions
rotating Low loads, low to medium speed,
low frequency vibrations
–6 –3 –6 Normal accuracy Guides, tension rollers, pantographs
fixed High loads, high speeds,
high frequency vibrations
Tight fit –3 –3 –6 A tight fit must be guaranteed at high speeds Rollers, deflection rollers, planetary gears
rotating Medium to high loads, high speeds,
high frequency vibrations
–9 –6 –9 It is not necessary for the outer ring to be held laterally. High rigidity

Note: 0 / –5 μm is the myonic bearing outer diameter D tolerance grade; 0 / –2.5 and –2.5 / –5 are the two sortings within this grade. The three "Tolerance housing" values in the table are the housing tolerances (μm) required when mating with the corresponding grade / sorting.

Technical Notes

1 Coefficient of thermal expansion of ball bearing steel: 11×10–6 ºC–1

For more detailed information on fit tolerances or technical support, please contact our application engineers.

ESC