Festo and SMC are the two giants of industrial pneumatics, and because much of the range is built to shared ISO standards, many of their cylinders are dimensionally interchangeable. If you need to swap one for the other - for availability, lead time or plant standardization - here's how the cross-reference works and where to be careful.
Cylinders: match the ISO standard
For standards-based cylinders, the ISO number is what guarantees the mounting footprint matches. Common equivalents:
- ISO 15552 (profile/tie-rod cylinders): SMC CP96 cross-references to Festo DSBC - same mounting interface and accessories.
- ISO 21287 (compact cylinders): SMC CQ2 cross-references to Festo ADN.
- ISO 6432 (round/mini cylinders): SMC CM2 / CG cross-references to Festo DSNU for most bore sizes.
Because the mounting is standardized, brackets, clevises and foot mounts usually carry over too - but always confirm bore, stroke, port size, cushioning and rod-end thread, and check port position on the smaller ISO 6432 sizes, where a few variants differ.
Valves: watch the flow rating
The biggest trap when cross-referencing pneumatic valves is that the two brands rate flow differently. Festo uses the international Kv value (in m3/h); SMC uses its own C-value. They are not the same number. As an approximate conversion, C is roughly equal to Kv multiplied by 16.7. Don't compare a Festo Kv directly against an SMC C-value or you'll size the valve wrong.
Also confirm these on a valve swap
- Function: 3/2, 5/2, 5/3 and the rest position (normally closed/open).
- Port size and manifold/sub-base compatibility.
- Operation: solenoid voltage, single/double, manual override.
- Flow (Cv/Kv/C) corrected with the conversion above.
A cross-reference is a starting point
ISO compatibility makes pneumatics one of the easier categories to cross-reference, but a chart is never a substitute for checking the spec sheet on the exact model. For anything safety- or cycle-critical, verify before you fit.
We'll cross-reference and source it
Send us the Festo or SMC part number you need and we'll identify the equivalent and respond within two business days, with pricing to follow once our supplier network confirms. We source both brands and reference 4,000+ manufacturers. We are an independent reseller, not an authorized distributor of Festo or SMC; both names are used here for identification only.