Chip vs Chip

NTAG213 vs NTAG216

NTAG213 offers 144 bytes memory with 32-bit password security, making it ideal for NFC business cards, URL tags, small data records. NTAG216 provides 888 bytes with 32-bit password security, suited for vCard storage, complex NDEF records, data logging.

NTAG 213

FamilyNTAG
Memory180 bytes (user: 144 B)
Price$0.050 – $0.150

NTAG 216

FamilyNTAG
Memory924 bytes (user: 888 B)
Price$0.100 – $0.250

NTAG213 vs NTAG216: Small vs. Large in the NTAG Family

NTAG213 and NTAG216 sit at opposite ends of the NTAG21x memory ladder — the same silicon lineage, the same protocol, but a 6× difference in storage capacity. Choosing between them is almost entirely a function of payload size.

Overview

NTAG213 is NXP's lowest-capacity consumer NFC tag, delivering 144 bytes of total memory (137 bytes usable). Its economy and near-universal smartphone compatibility have made it the default choice for simple applications where the tag merely launches a URL or presents a short text string.

NTAG216 is the flagship of the NTAG21x line, offering 888 bytes of total memory (872 bytes usable). With nearly 900 bytes available it can store complex NDEF payloads: full vCard contacts, multiple language variants of a message, Wi-Fi credentials, serialized product records, or small configuration blobs — all in a single tag.

Key Differences

  • Memory: 144 bytes (NTAG213) vs 888 bytes (NTAG216) — a 6× difference. NTAG216 is the largest capacity chip in the NTAG21x family.
  • Use-case scope: NTAG213 is purpose-built for the single-record use case. NTAG216 supports multi-record NDEF messages and richer structured data.
  • Price: NTAG216 commands a modest premium — typically 15–30% above NTAG213 at equal volume — reflecting the additional memory.
  • Protocol and security: Identical. Both are NFC Forum Type 2, NFC-A, 7-byte UID, password-protected (32-bit PWD + 16-bit PACK). Neither supports hardware-based cryptographic authentication.
  • Form factor: Both are available in identical die sizes and inlay formats, so no antenna redesign is needed when switching between them.

Use Cases

Choose NTAG213 when: - Your NDEF record is a URL under ~100 characters - Cost is the primary driver and you are producing millions of tags - The application is a minimal-interaction consumer experience (tap-to-open website)

Choose NTAG216 when: - The payload includes multiple NDEF records (e.g., URL + Wi-Fi credentials + text description) - You are encoding a full vCard with multiple contact fields - The application stores device configuration, serialized sensor data, or product manifests - Future-proofing is important and you do not want to re-order chips after a payload expansion

Technical Comparison

Parameter NTAG213 NTAG216
Total memory 144 bytes 888 bytes
User memory 137 bytes 872 bytes
NFC type Forum Type 2 Forum Type 2
Protocol NFC-A / ISO 14443-A NFC-A / ISO 14443-A
Password protection 32-bit + 16-bit PACK 32-bit + 16-bit PACK
Amiibo compatible No No
Typical price delta Baseline +15–30%

Verdict

If your payload fits in 100 bytes, NTAG213 saves money with zero functional compromise. If you need more capacity — whether for richer data today or anticipated growth tomorrow — NTAG216 is the logical upgrade within the NTAG21x family. Neither chip provides cryptographic security; for that, look to NTAG 424 DNA or MIFARE DESFire EV3.

Recommendation

Choose NTAG213 when you need lowest cost NFC Forum Type 2 tag; choose NTAG216 when you need largest NTAG 21x with most user memory.