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]

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]