MIFARE Ultralight C vs Tag-it HF-I Standard

MIFARE Ultralight C offers 144 bytes user memory with 3DES authentication on ISO 14443A. Tag-it HF-I provides 256 bytes on ISO 15693 with block locking.

Side-by-side specs

Frequency

MIFARE Ultralight C: 13.56 MHz
Tag-it HF-I Standard: 13.56 MHz

Protocol

MIFARE Ultralight C: ISO/IEC 14443 Type A, NFC Forum Type 2
Tag-it HF-I Standard: ISO/IEC 15693, ISO/IEC 18000-3

Memory

MIFARE Ultralight C: 1536 bits total (192 bytes) / 1152 bits user memory (144 bytes) / 32-bit OTP / 16-bit one-way counter
Tag-it HF-I Standard: 2048 bits (256 bytes) user memory organized in 64 blocks of 32 bits (4 bytes) each, plus 64-bit UID, DSFID, AFI

Interface

MIFARE Ultralight C: RF (contactless)
Tag-it HF-I Standard: RF (contactless)

Temp Range

MIFARE Ultralight C: -25°C to +70°C ambient
Tag-it HF-I Standard: -40°C to +85°C operating, -40°C to +125°C storage

Form Factor

MIFARE Ultralight C: Bare die (75 µm / 120 µm), MOA8 contactless module (SOT500-4)
Tag-it HF-I Standard: Wafer (200 mm / 8 inch diameter, 265 µm thick after grinding), die size 1296 µm × 1116 µm, bumped (Ni/Au chemical bumps, 25 µm height)

Security

MIFARE Ultralight C: 3DES authentication (2-key 3DES in CBC mode), 7-byte UID, 32-bit OTP, field-programmable read-only locking per page/block
Tag-it HF-I Standard: Individual block locking (user lock and factory lock per block), irreversible write protection

Spec	MIFARE Ultralight C	Tag-it HF-I Standard
Frequency	13.56 MHz	13.56 MHz
Protocol	ISO/IEC 14443 Type A, NFC Forum Type 2	ISO/IEC 15693, ISO/IEC 18000-3
Memory	1536 bits total (192 bytes) / 1152 bits user memory (144 bytes) / 32-bit OTP / 16-bit one-way counter	2048 bits (256 bytes) user memory organized in 64 blocks of 32 bits (4 bytes) each, plus 64-bit UID, DSFID, AFI
Interface	RF (contactless)	RF (contactless)
Temp Range	-25°C to +70°C ambient	-40°C to +85°C operating, -40°C to +125°C storage
Form Factor	Bare die (75 µm / 120 µm), MOA8 contactless module (SOT500-4)	Wafer (200 mm / 8 inch diameter, 265 µm thick after grinding), die size 1296 µm × 1116 µm, bumped (Ni/Au chemical bumps, 25 µm height)
Security	3DES authentication (2-key 3DES in CBC mode), 7-byte UID, 32-bit OTP, field-programmable read-only locking per page/block	Individual block locking (user lock and factory lock per block), irreversible write protection

Verdict

Choose MIFARE Ultralight C if you need NFC Forum Type 2 compatibility with cryptographic authentication for access control or secure ticketing applications. This chip operates on ISO/IEC 14443 Type A at 13.56 MHz and provides 144 bytes of user memory (192 bytes total) with 3DES authentication using 2-key 3DES in CBC mode. The 7-byte UID, 32-bit one-time-programmable area, and 16-bit one-way counter support event tracking and anti-cloning measures. Field-programmable read-only locking per page allows granular memory protection. The ISO 14443A protocol enables fast transaction times and smartphone NFC compatibility, making it suitable for transport ticketing, loyalty cards, and applications requiring mutual authentication between tag and reader. The smaller memory footprint is acceptable when security features outweigh storage requirements. Choose Tag-it HF-I Standard if you need larger memory capacity with longer read range and compatibility with ISO 15693 or ISO/IEC 18000-3 inventory systems. This chip provides 256 bytes of user memory organized in 64 blocks of 4 bytes each, plus 64-bit UID, DSFID (Data Storage Format Identifier), and AFI (Application Family Identifier) fields. Operating at 13.56 MHz on the ISO 15693 protocol, it supports anti-collision for reading multiple tags simultaneously and offers extended read distances compared to ISO 14443A. Security relies on individual block locking with both user lock and factory lock options per block, providing irreversible write protection but no cryptographic authentication. This makes it appropriate for library management, asset tracking, supply chain applications, and item-level tagging where inventory management, longer read range, and moderate memory requirements are priorities over cryptographic security.

FAQ

What is the main protocol difference between MIFARE Ultralight C and Tag-it HF-I?

MIFARE Ultralight C uses ISO/IEC 14443 Type A protocol with NFC Forum Type 2 compatibility, while Tag-it HF-I Standard uses ISO/IEC 15693 and ISO/IEC 18000-3 protocols. ISO 14443A provides faster data transfer at close range, while ISO 15693 offers longer read distances and better anti-collision for inventory applications.

Does Tag-it HF-I Standard support cryptographic authentication like MIFARE Ultralight C?

No, Tag-it HF-I Standard does not support cryptographic authentication. It only offers individual block locking with irreversible write protection per block. MIFARE Ultralight C provides 3DES authentication using 2-key 3DES in CBC mode for secure access control.

Which chip has more user memory capacity?

Tag-it HF-I Standard has 256 bytes of user memory compared to MIFARE Ultralight C's 144 bytes of user memory. The Tag-it chip organizes memory into 64 blocks of 4 bytes each, while MIFARE Ultralight C has 192 bytes total memory with 144 bytes available for user data.

Sourcing MIFARE Ultralight C or Tag-it HF-I Standard in volume?

Roxtron builds custom RFID and NFC products around both MIFARE Ultralight C and Tag-it HF-I Standard. Tell us your project — quantities, form factor, timeline — and we'll come back within 24 hours with pricing and lead times.