Bearings for Fidget Spinners and Skateboards

One small bearing, two very different toys

A skateboard and a fidget spinner look like they have nothing in common, but most of them run on the same part: the 608 ball bearing. It is small, cheap and made in huge numbers, which is why it ended up in skate wheels, scooters, inline skates and nearly every fidget spinner.

The two uses want different things, though. A skateboard bearing has to survive jumps, grit and rain while rolling fast. A fidget spinner bearing only needs to spin for as long as possible in your hand.

This guide explains the 608 and R188 sizes, what ABEC ratings really mean, which materials to choose, and how to set up and clean bearings for each.

The 608 and R188 bearings

Bearing	Bore (inner)	Outer diameter	Width	Used in
608	8 mm	22 mm	7 mm	Skateboards, longboards, scooters, inline skates, most fidget spinners
R188	6.35 mm (1/4 in)	12.7 mm (1/2 in)	about 4.76 mm (some 3.1 mm)	Premium and small fidget spinners

Sizes from All3DP.

The 608 is a single-row deep groove ball bearing, the most common bearing type in the world. The number follows the standard system: "6" means deep groove, "0" is the size series and "8" is the bore in millimetres.

The R188 is an inch-size miniature bearing. It is smaller and lighter, so more of a spinner's weight sits out in the arms, which helps it spin longer.

What the suffixes mean

• 608 Z: one metal shield

• 608 ZZ: metal shields on both sides; low friction, keeps out bigger dirt

• 608 2RS: rubber seals on both sides; best at keeping out water and fine dust, but slightly more drag

• 608 open: no shields; lowest friction, but dirt gets in easily

ABEC ratings explained

ABEC stands for the Annular Bearing Engineers' Committee. Its rating measures manufacturing tolerance: how precisely the bearing's rings and balls are made (Skate Warehouse). It uses odd numbers, and higher means tighter tolerances.

ABEC class	Roughly equal ISO class	Precision
ABEC 1	P0 (normal)	Standard
ABEC 3	P6	Better than standard
ABEC 5	P5	Precision
ABEC 7	P4	High precision
ABEC 9	P2	Ultra precision

Higher ABEC does not mean faster

This is the most common myth. A bearing with a higher rating on paper will not automatically feel faster or last longer on a board (Skate Warehouse). ABEC says nothing about:

• the lubricant, which has a much bigger effect on speed

• the shields or seals

• the material or how hard the steel is

• how well the bearing handles side loads and impacts, which matter most on a skateboard

At skateboard speeds, ABEC 3 to 7 is plenty. Many respected skate brands don't use ABEC ratings at all and rate their bearings as "skate rated" instead. Be wary of very cheap bearings stamped "ABEC 11" or higher; there is no ABEC 11 class in the standard.

Bearing materials

Material	Price	Strengths	Weaknesses	Best for
Chrome steel	Lowest	Strong, tough, handles impacts	Rusts when wet	Everyday skateboards; budget spinners
Stainless steel	Medium	Resists rust and sweat	Slightly softer than chrome steel	Skating in damp weather; spinners handled a lot
Hybrid ceramic (steel rings, ceramic balls)	Higher	Smoother, lighter balls, less heat; can get smoother with use	Steel rings can still rust	Longboards, downhill, premium spinners
Full ceramic (zirconia or silicon nitride)	Highest	Longest spin out of the box, rust-proof	Brittle under hard impacts; usually open, so dirt gets in	Fidget spinners, not street skating

Material details from All3DP. See the stainless steel ball bearings guide for more on stainless grades.

For a skateboard, tough steel or hybrid ceramic bearings make sense, because the wheels take hard landings. For a fidget spinner, which never takes impacts, full ceramic gives the longest spin.

Skateboard bearings

How many you need

Each skateboard wheel takes two 608 bearings, one pressed into each side. A board with four wheels needs eight bearings, which is why skate bearings are sold in sets of eight.

Spacers and speed washers

• Spacers are small metal tubes that sit between the two bearings inside each wheel. They stop the bearings being squeezed together when you tighten the axle nut, so the wheel spins freely. Many bearing sets include them.

• Speed washers are thin washers that go on the axle on each side of the wheel. They stop the bearing's inner ring rubbing against the truck or the nut.

Fitting bearings into wheels

1. Slide one bearing onto the truck's axle, shield side facing out.

2. Press the wheel straight down onto it until the bearing seats fully. Don't hammer it.

3. Drop a spacer into the wheel, then press in the second bearing the same way.

4. Add a speed washer, then the axle nut. Tighten until the wheel has no side-to-side wobble, then back off slightly so it spins freely.

Choosing skateboard bearings

• Street and park: tough, sealed or shielded steel bearings from a skate brand. Durability beats precision.

• Longboard and cruising: hybrid ceramic or quality steel bearings for smooth, long rolls.

• Wet or dusty areas: rubber-sealed (2RS) or stainless bearings.

Fidget spinner bearings

The centre bearing

The bearing in the middle decides how long a spinner turns. Most spinners take a 608; premium spinners often use the smaller R188, which keeps more weight out in the arms. An adapter can fit an R188 into a spinner made for a 608 (All3DP).

What makes a long spin

• No grease: most new steel and hybrid bearings come greased, which adds drag. Cleaning out the grease usually makes them spin much longer (All3DP).

• Open or removable shields: fewer seals mean less friction.

• Ceramic balls: full ceramic bearings give the longest spins straight out of the box.

• Weight in the arms: a heavy outer rim stores more energy. Some spinners press extra 608 bearings into the arms purely as weights.

• Precision: here a higher-precision bearing does help, because nothing else limits the spin.

Quiet vs long spin

A greased bearing spins for less time but runs quietly and lasts longer. A clean, dry bearing spins longest but is louder and can wear faster. Pick the one that suits how you use it.

Cleaning, lubrication and replacement

How to clean a bearing

1. Remove the bearing from the wheel or spinner.

2. Prise off the removable shield with a pin or small screwdriver. Metal ZZ shields are usually not removable, so those bearings can't be cleaned out (All3DP).

3. Soak the bearing in isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, and spin it to work the dirt and old grease out. If the cage is plastic, check that the cleaner won't damage it.

4. Dry it fully, for example with a hairdryer.

5. For a skateboard, add one or two drops of skate bearing oil or light grease. For a fidget spinner, leave it dry for the longest spin, or add a tiny drop of thin oil for quieter running.

6. Refit the shield and the bearing.

Light rust on steel bearings can be removed by soaking them in vinegar before cleaning (All3DP).

Avoid these

• Water: it washes out the oil and causes rust. Don't skate through puddles with steel bearings.

• WD-40 as a lubricant: it cleans, but leaves little lasting lubrication.

• Too much oil: it collects dirt and slows the bearing.

When to replace

• A grinding or crunchy feel when you spin the wheel by hand

• Rust you can't clean off

• Side-to-side play in the bearing

• A wheel that stops quickly even after cleaning

• Cracked shields or a damaged cage

Replace all eight skateboard bearings at once, so every wheel rolls the same.

Picking the right bearing

For skateboards, choose tough, well-sealed 608 bearings from a skate brand, use spacers and speed washers, and keep them dry and clean. ABEC 3 to 7 is all you need. For fidget spinners, choose a clean, lightly lubricated or dry 608 or R188, ideally hybrid or full ceramic, for the longest spin.

If you're buying 608 bearings in bulk, for a skate shop, a toy maker or a repair business, ask your bearing supplier for the exact size, shield type (ZZ or 2RS), material and quantity you need.

Frequently asked questions

1. What size bearing does a skateboard use?

Skateboards use the 608 bearing: 8 mm bore, 22 mm outer diameter and 7 mm wide. Each wheel takes two, so a full board needs eight. The same size is used in most longboards, scooters and inline skates.

2. What size bearing is in a fidget spinner?

Most fidget spinners use a 608 bearing in the centre, the same size as a skateboard bearing. Some premium spinners use the smaller R188 bearing, with a 6.35 mm bore and 12.7 mm outer diameter.

3. Does a higher ABEC rating make a skateboard faster?

No. ABEC measures manufacturing precision, not speed. At skateboard speeds, lubrication, seals, wheel quality and cleanliness matter much more. ABEC 3 to 7 bearings are plenty for skating.

4. Are ceramic bearings better for skateboards?

Hybrid ceramic bearings, with ceramic balls and steel rings, are a good upgrade for longboards and cruising: they run smoothly and resist heat. Full ceramic bearings are brittle and better suited to fidget spinners than to street skating, where wheels take hard impacts.

5. How do I make my fidget spinner spin longer?

Clean the grease out of the centre bearing with isopropyl alcohol, dry it, and run it without lubricant or with just a tiny drop of thin oil. Removing the shields and upgrading to a ceramic or R188 bearing helps too.

6. How often should skateboard bearings be cleaned?

Clean them whenever they feel gritty or slow, or after riding through dust or water. Regular skaters often clean every few weeks. Sealed bearings need cleaning less often than shielded ones.