By RFID MFG Editorial Team · Updated June 15, 2026 · 2 min read
Same family, different memory
NTAG213, 215 and 216 are NXP's mainstream NFC chips — all operate at 13.56 MHz, follow ISO/IEC 14443A and the NFC Forum Type 2 standard, and are read by every modern smartphone. They share the same features (password protection, a scan counter, a unique 7-byte UID); the headline difference is how much data they can store.
That memory decides what you can encode. A short URL fits comfortably in NTAG213; a full vCard, several records or a game token needs the room of 215 or 216.
NTAG213 vs 215 vs 216
| Chip | User memory | Total memory | Typical use | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NTAG213 | 144 bytes | 180 bytes | URLs, simple records, marketing | Lowest |
| NTAG215 | 504 bytes | 540 bytes | vCards, gaming tokens, rich records | Mid |
| NTAG216 | 888 bytes | 924 bytes | Largest payloads, multiple records | Highest |
Choose NTAG213
For the vast majority of tap-to-open marketing, product labels and simple authentication: it stores a URL or short record cheaply, which matters at high volume.
Choose NTAG215
When you need more room — a full vCard, several NDEF records, or a gaming token (215's 504 bytes is the well-known amiibo capacity). A popular balance of memory and cost for NFC business cards and collectibles.
Choose NTAG216
When you need the most on-tag data — larger payloads or many records without an internet lookup. Choose it when 215 is not enough.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between NTAG213, 215 and 216?
Mainly user memory: NTAG213 has 144 bytes, NTAG215 has 504 bytes and NTAG216 has 888 bytes. They otherwise share the same 13.56 MHz operation, features and phone compatibility.
Which NTAG chip is used for amiibo and gaming?
NTAG215, because its 504-byte user memory fits the data these tokens use. It is a common choice for NFC gaming and collectibles.
Can I lock an NTAG chip so it cannot be changed?
Yes. All three support password protection and permanent locking, which is important for authentication and anti-tamper use. We can pre-encode and lock chips before delivery.