The Four Characteristic Frequencies
Every rolling element bearing produces four distinct fault frequencies that can be detected in vibration spectra:
| Abbreviation | Full Name | What It Detects |
|---|---|---|
| BPFO | Ball Pass Frequency Outer | Outer race defect |
| BPFI | Ball Pass Frequency Inner | Inner race defect |
| BSF | Ball Spin Frequency | Rolling element defect |
| FTF | Fundamental Train Frequency | Cage defect |
Calculation Method
For practical field use, manufacturers provide frequency factors. Multiply the factor by shaft speed:
Example Calculation
BPFO = 3.585 × 1750 / 60 = 104.6 Hz
BPFI = 5.415 × 1750 / 60 = 157.9 Hz
Calculate for your machine
Pick a bearing and enter your shaft speed. The frequencies below are computed for your machine — and they travel into the PDF.
Not in the list? Measure it. These four numbers are all the frequencies need — and none of them appear in a commercial catalogue, which is why you have to take them off the bearing itself.
Units do not matter. Every formula depends on Dw/Dm, which is a ratio — millimetres or inches give the same answer, as long as both diameters use the same one. Contact angle is 0° for deep groove ball bearings; use the manufacturer's value for angular contact and tapered types.
Two cage frequencies, because it depends on which ring turns. FTF assumes the inner ring rotates, which is the normal shaft-mounted case. FTF (outer ring rotating) is for idler pulleys, tensioners and rolls where the shaft is fixed and the housing turns. The two always add up to shaft speed.
All factors verified against SKF Product select, the manufacturer’s own tool. Covers deep groove ball, tapered roller and spherical roller bearings. Element counts are never interpolated — they vary within a series.
SKF Deep Groove Ball Bearings (62xx Series)
Most common bearing series in electric motors and general industrial applications.
| Bearing | Balls | BPFO | BPFI | BSF | FTF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6200 | 8 | 3.0476 | 4.9524 | 1.9809 | 0.3809 |
| 6201 | 7 | 2.5455 | 4.4545 | 1.6970 | 0.3636 |
| 6202 | 8 | 3.0499 | 4.9501 | 1.9862 | 0.3812 |
| 6203 | 8 | 3.0531 | 4.9469 | 1.9937 | 0.3816 |
| 6204 | 8 | 3.0522 | 4.9478 | 1.9916 | 0.3815 |
| 6205 | 9 | 3.5850 | 5.4150 | 2.3574 | 0.3983 |
| 6206 | 9 | 3.5682 | 5.4318 | 2.3112 | 0.3965 |
| 6207 | 9 | 3.5653 | 5.4347 | 2.3035 | 0.3961 |
| 6208 | 9 | 3.5773 | 5.4227 | 2.3359 | 0.3975 |
| 6209 | 10 | 4.0536 | 5.9464 | 2.5470 | 0.4054 |
| 6210 | 10 | 4.0929 | 5.9071 | 2.6652 | 0.4093 |
| 6211 | 10 | 4.0782 | 5.9218 | 2.6199 | 0.4078 |
| 6212 | 10 | 4.0662 | 5.9338 | 2.5838 | 0.4066 |
| 6213 | 11 | 4.5591 | 6.4409 | 2.8373 | 0.4145 |
| 6214 | 11 | 4.5597 | 6.4403 | 2.8391 | 0.4145 |
| 6215 | 11 | 4.5630 | 6.4370 | 2.8498 | 0.4148 |
| 6216 | 12 | 5.0620 | 6.9380 | 3.1202 | 0.4218 |
| 6217 | 11 | 4.5751 | 6.4249 | 2.8891 | 0.4159 |
| 6218 | 11 | 4.5593 | 6.4407 | 2.8378 | 0.4145 |
| 6219 | 10 | 4.1014 | 5.8986 | 2.6924 | 0.4101 |
SKF Deep Groove Ball Bearings (63xx Series)
Heavy-duty series with higher load capacity than 62xx series.
| Bearing | Balls | BPFO | BPFI | BSF | FTF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6305 | 7 | 2.5747 | 4.4253 | 1.7591 | 0.3678 |
| 6306 | 8 | 3.0536 | 4.9464 | 1.9950 | 0.3817 |
| 6307 | 8 | 3.0613 | 4.9387 | 2.0132 | 0.3827 |
| 6308 | 8 | 3.0719 | 4.9281 | 2.0390 | 0.3840 |
| 6309 | 8 | 3.0366 | 4.9634 | 1.9555 | 0.3796 |
| 6310 | 8 | 3.0475 | 4.9525 | 1.9807 | 0.3809 |
| 6311 | 8 | 3.0565 | 4.9435 | 2.0019 | 0.3821 |
| 6312 | 8 | 3.0642 | 4.9358 | 2.0203 | 0.3830 |
| 6313 | 8 | 3.0708 | 4.9292 | 2.0361 | 0.3838 |
| 6314 | 8 | 3.0764 | 4.9236 | 2.0499 | 0.3845 |
| 6315 | 8 | 3.0813 | 4.9187 | 2.0621 | 0.3852 |
| 6316 | 8 | 3.0856 | 4.9144 | 2.0729 | 0.3857 |
| 6317 | 8 | 3.0894 | 4.9106 | 2.0827 | 0.3862 |
| 6318 | 8 | 3.0929 | 4.9071 | 2.0913 | 0.3866 |
| 6319 | 8 | 3.0959 | 4.9041 | 2.0992 | 0.3870 |
| 6320 | 8 | 3.0727 | 4.9273 | 2.0409 | 0.3841 |
| 6321 | 8 | 3.0764 | 4.9236 | 2.0499 | 0.3845 |
| 6322 | 8 | 3.0566 | 4.9434 | 2.0020 | 0.3821 |
Timken Tapered Roller Bearings
Common in gearboxes, conveyors, and heavy machinery with combined radial and axial loads.
| Bearing | Rollers | BPFO | BPFI | BSF | FTF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30205 | 17 | 7.1032 | 9.8968 | 2.8955 | 0.4178 |
| 30206 | 17 | 7.1032 | 9.8968 | 2.8954 | 0.4178 |
| 30207 | 17 | 7.1032 | 9.8968 | 2.8954 | 0.4178 |
| 30208 | 17 | 7.1032 | 9.8968 | 2.8954 | 0.4178 |
| 30305 | 13 | 5.1105 | 7.8895 | 2.2028 | 0.3931 |
| 30306 | 14 | 5.5887 | 8.4113 | 2.3440 | 0.3992 |
| 30307 | 14 | 5.5887 | 8.4113 | 2.3440 | 0.3992 |
SKF Spherical Roller Bearings (222xx Series)
Two rows of rollers, self-aligning. The standard choice for fan and blower shafts, large pumps, crushers and conveyors — the balance-of-plant machines that carry permanent monitoring. Note the element count peaks mid-series and falls again: it cannot be interpolated.
| Bearing | Rollers | BPFO | BPFI | BSF | FTF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22210 E | 19 | 8.1542 | 10.8458 | 3.4152 | 0.4292 |
| 22212 E | 19 | 8.1328 | 10.8672 | 3.3588 | 0.4280 |
| 22215 E | 21 | 9.0488 | 11.9512 | 3.5102 | 0.4309 |
| 22216 E | 21 | 9.0506 | 11.9494 | 3.5164 | 0.4310 |
| 22217 EK | 21 | 9.0373 | 11.9627 | 3.4810 | 0.4303 |
| 22218 E | 20 | 8.5714 | 11.4286 | 3.3871 | 0.4286 |
| 22220 E | 19 | 8.0767 | 10.9233 | 3.2211 | 0.4251 |
| 22222 E | 18 | 7.5795 | 10.4205 | 3.0472 | 0.4211 |
Quick Reference
When bearing part numbers are unknown, use these typical frequency ranges:
| Frequency | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FTF | 0.35-0.45 × RPM | Cage speed - always lowest |
| BSF | 1.5-2.5 × RPM | Ball/roller spin rate |
| BPFO | 2.5-5 × RPM | Ball bearings typical |
| BPFI | 3.5-6 × RPM | Always higher than BPFO |
Early stage bearing defects appear as bearing fault frequencies with harmonics (2×, 3×, etc.). As damage progresses, sidebands appear at running speed intervals around the fault frequency.