What is the range of NFC?
The range of NFC is smaller than that of other technologies. So exactly how far can the connection go?
There is no exact answer to this question. In practice, a range of about 2 cm is typically achieved. Depending on the size of the antenna of an NFC tag, however, the range can also change.
NFC often has a range of 1 cm to 10 cm. However, the range can also be higher or lower. This depends on the antenna (and field strength) of the reader and the antenna of the NFC tag. With the right combination, the range can be maximized.
To achieve a higher range, there are corresponding NFC readers with larger antennas and stronger reading field. These are practical if the object is only to be dragged over the reader - for example, if NFC tags are glued into books and automatically booked in and out by scan. In such cases, the range can be 5-10 cm.
For smartphones, the strength of the antenna varies depending on the model and series. However, with common NFC tags, the range of approx. 2 cm described above is the most common.
NFC tags with very small antennas are often a challenge for the reader or smartphone in terms of range. Here, close attention must be paid to the posture and position, which ultimately makes handling more difficult.
First published: 31.10.2023 / Updated: 31.10.2023 2023-10-31 2023-10-31