Technology
How does NFC work?
NFC (Near-Field Communication) works by letting two devices exchange small amounts of data when held very close together, within a few centimeters. It powers contactless payments and transit cards using a short-range radio signal that even works without its own battery.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how NFC works.
Step by step
- 1It's a very short-range wireless technology (a few centimeters).
- 2Tapping or holding devices close triggers the data exchange.
- 3A reader's signal can power a passive tag, so it needs no battery.
- 4It powers contactless payments, transit cards, and key fobs.
- 5The tiny range is itself a security feature.
Frequently asked questions
- How does tapping your card or phone to pay work?
- NFC exchanges payment data over a tiny-range radio link when you hold the card or phone within a few centimeters of the reader.
- Does an NFC card need a battery?
- No — passive NFC tags and cards draw power from the reader's signal, which is how contactless cards work without charging.
- Is NFC secure?
- Its extremely short range limits eavesdropping, and payments add encryption and one-time codes, making it quite secure in practice.