NFC Gets a Big Boost: New Standard Increases Range by 4x

The NFC Forum, the global standards body for Near Field Communication technology, has announced NFC Release 15, an update that significantly increases the range of certified contactless connections—from 0.5 centimeters to 2 centimeters. That's a fourfold increase, aimed at making interactions faster, more reliable, and easier to initiate across a growing number of use cases, including wireless charging, digital keys, wearables, and even kitchen appliances.

The expanded range—referred to as the "operating volume"—means devices can connect with less precise alignment, reducing the need for exact tapping and making the experience more seamless. However, the NFC Forum emphasized that this improvement retains the critical requirement for user intent, distinguishing NFC from always-on technologies like Bluetooth.

Led by board members including Apple, Google, Huawei, Identiv, Infineon, NXP, Sony, and STMicroelectronics, the NFC Forum says the update will redefine the baseline for contactless interactions. According to Executive Director Mike McCamon, the extended range was a key milestone outlined in the Forum's five-year roadmap.


"Extending the range of NFC contactless connections was one of the key priorities… to meet changing market needs and deliver faster, easier transactions across all NFC-enabled devices—including smaller form factors such as wearables or smartphones," said McCamon. "Many markets are set to benefit from extended range, with consumers set to gain the most through an enhanced user experience."

The Forum expects the new standard to unlock new possibilities like using a smartphone as a payment terminal, and to improve usability in sectors such as automotive, transit, and access control. The release also aligns with regulatory developments in the EU that are pushing for broader NFC access across platforms, including Apple's Tap to Pay on iPhone.

NFC Release 15 also supports the NFC Digital Product Passport (DPP) standard, part of the Forum's ongoing sustainability initiatives. This standard enables a single NFC tag to store and transmit both standard and extended product data using the common NFC Data Exchange Format (NDEF). It's designed to help manufacturers and brands embed detailed product information directly into physical items, enhancing traceability and transparency throughout the product lifecycle.

"NFC Release 15 will continue to extend contactless simplicity into an ever-expanding list of use cases—including sustainability—and redefine the baseline for performance standards," McCamon added.


Technical specifications for Release 15 are now available to NFC Forum members at the Associate, Principal, and Sponsor levels. Adopter-level members and the public will be able to access the specs and begin certifying devices for compliance in Fall 2025. A public webinar introducing the new release is scheduled for Wednesday, July 9.