A Guide to the Different NFC Tag Types
Not all NFC tags are created equal. The NFC Forum has defined five official tag types, each with different capabilities. Understanding them helps you appreciate the technology inside your NFC business card. Let's break them down.
Type 1 Tags
Based on the ISO-14443A standard, Type 1 tags are simple and cost-effective. They typically have 96 bytes of memory, which is enough for a simple URL, but their low cost makes them suitable for disposable uses. [8]
Type 2 Tags
Also based on ISO-14443A, Type 2 tags are the most common type used for business cards, including our popular NTAG series. [2, 6] They offer a great balance of cost and performance, with memory typically ranging from 48 bytes to 2 kilobytes, and are perfect for storing contact details (vCards) or website links. [2]
A Closer Look: NTAG213 vs. NTAG215 vs. NTAG216
The NTAG21x series from NXP is the industry standard for Type 2 tags. While they share core features like 10-year data retention and a 100,000 write cycle endurance, their primary difference is user memory, which affects how much data they can hold. [2, 3]
| Chip | User Memory | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| NTAG213 | 144 bytes | The most common and versatile chip. Perfect for storing URLs, short text, or triggering simple actions. [2, 6] |
| NTAG215 | 504 bytes | Ideal for storing more detailed information, like a digital business card (vCard) with multiple fields. Famously used for Nintendo Amiibo figures. [2, 18] |
| NTAG216 | 888 bytes | Offers the largest capacity for complex data, such as extensive vCards or small amounts of stored data for specific applications, though it comes at a higher cost. [2, 6, 18] |
Note: While NTAG214 is sometimes mentioned, it is not a standard chip in this series, and specifications for it are inconsistent. For most applications, NTAG213, 215, and 216 are the go-to choices.
Type 3 Tags
Based on Sony's FeliCa™ standard, Type 3 tags are faster and have more memory than Types 1 and 2. [2, 5] They are predominantly used in Asia for complex systems like public transportation tickets and e-money applications. [5]
Type 4 Tags
Type 4 tags are compatible with both ISO-14443A and B standards. They offer larger memory capacities (up to 32KB) and have more advanced security features. [2, 8] This makes them suitable for applications that require higher security, such as access control systems. [5]
Type 5 Tags
The newest addition, Type 5 tags operate on the ISO/IEC 15693 standard. Their main advantage is a longer read range compared to the other types, which makes them ideal for industrial applications like supply chain management and asset tracking. [5, 6]
Conclusion
While each tag type has its purpose, Type 2 tags provide the perfect combination of memory, speed, and cost-effectiveness for the vast majority of consumer applications, including making your NFC business card a powerful networking tool. All these tags are programmed using NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format) records, which is the standardized way to structure the data you share. [15]