At what distance do NFC tags respond?
In order to transmit data, it is important to know the distance for this transmission. So when do NFC tags start to respond?
Different factors influence when an NFC tag starts to respond. The two most important factors are the antenna of the NFC tag and reader. Normally, NFC tags respond or the readers display the tag at a distance of 2 cm to 5 cm.
Antenna size
NFC tags consist of three parts: The NFC chip, an antenna, and a material (usually plastic) in which the chip and antenna are embedded. The antenna is the part that determines the size of the NFC tag and also picks up the current waves from an NFC reader. So if the antenna area of a tag is large, current waves can be picked up well and the chip can be activated. If the range is smaller, the NFC tag must be held closer and closer to the NFC reader at its antenna range so that it can be activated.
Antenna length
Antennas of NFC tags can be constructed in different ways. They are basically built into the tag in the form of spirals. Short antennas are often seen in the form of a single spiral, while longer antennas are usually installed in the form of three spirals. A longer antenna can already react at a distance of between 5 cm and 10 cm, while shorter antennas only react at a very small distance of e.g. 1 cm to 2 cm.
First published: 30.10.2023 / Updated: 30.10.2023 2023-10-30 2023-10-30