What Can We Do with MIFARE Ultralight Cards?

Table of Contents：

1. What Is MIFARE Ultralight?

Key features of MIFARE Ultralight:

2. What Is the Difference Between MIFARE Ultralight C and AES

MIFARE Ultralight C

AES Chips

Comparison Table

3. Is MIFARE NFC or RFID

4. Applications of MIFARE Ultralight Cards

5. Types of MIFARE Ultralight Chips and Cards

Main chip types

Phsical card types

6. Technical Specifications (Expanded)

7. How to Choose the Right MIFARE Ultralight Card

Choose based on Security Needs

Choose based on Memory Requirements

Choose based on Application Duration

Choose based on Card Material

8. How MIFARE Ultralight Cards Work(Reader Interaction)

Communication steps

Important features

9. When choosing a MIFARE Ultralight card

10. Conclusion

11. FAQ

1. What Is MIFARE Ultralight

MIFARE Ultralight is a family of low-cost, contactless smart card chips developed by NXP Semiconductors. They operate at 13.56 MHz and fully comply with the ISO/IEC 14443-A standard, making them widely compatible with NFC devices and RFID readers.

Unlike MIFARE Classic or DESFire, which offer higher memory and advanced security levels, the Ultralight series is designed for lightweight, cost-efficient, and high-volume applications such as disposable transit tickets, event passes, and short-term access control.

Key features of MIFARE Ultralight:

· Operating frequency: 13.56MHz

· Standard: ISO 14443A

· Memory: 48 bytes to 192 bytes, depending on version

· Low production cost

· Fast anti-collision and communication speed

· Used for single-use or temporary applications

· Readable by most NFC-enabled smartphones

· Simple security mechanism (lock bits, OTP)

Because of its affordability and flexibility, MIFARE Ultralight is one of the most popular RFID tag types for transportation, events, and promotions.

2. What Is the Difference Between MIFARE Ultralight C and AES

Many users confuse the security level of MIFARE Ultralight C with AES chips, but they serve different roles.

MIFARE Ultralight C

· Upgraded version of the original Ultralight

· Supports 3DES authentication

· Slightly more secure than basic Ultralight

· Suitable for ticketing and protected applications

· Not designed for highly secure environments

· AES Chips (e.g., MIFARE DESFire EV2/EV3, NTAG 424 DNA)

· Use advanced AES-128 encryption

· Designed for high-security applications:

    · Payment

    · Access control

    · Secure identity

· Offer larger memory, better protection, and file systems

Comparison Table

Conclusion:

MIFARE Ultralight ≠ AES. If your application needs high security, choose DESFire EV3 or NTAG 424 DNA instead.

3. Is MIFARE NFC or RFID?

MIFARE is technically HF RFID (High-Frequency Radio Frequency Identification) technology that operates at 13.56MHz.

But because it follows the ISO 14443-A standard—the same standard used by NFC—MIFARE is also NFC-compatible.

So MIFARE is:

· A form of HF RFID

· Fully NFC-compatible

· Readable by NFC smartphones (Android)

· Used widely in RFID card readers and access control devices

iPhone note:

iPhones can read most NXP NTAG chips, but some MIFARE cards require special access mode, depending on the chip type.

4. Applications of MIFARE Ultralight Cards

Because the Ultralight series is low-cost, flexible, and NFC-compatible, it is widely used across industries.

Transportation

· Metro single-journey tickets

· Bus disposable cards

· City transport day passes

Event Ticketing

· Music festivals

· Exhibition badges

· Stadium e-tickets

· Theme park wristbands

Hospitality & Leisure

· Hotel temporary passes

· Waterproof wristbands

· Resort visitor tags

Marketing & Promotions

· NFC coupons

· Smart posters

· Promotional gift cards

· One-time discount cards

Industrial & Corporate

· Staff temporary access badges

· Asset tracking (short-term)

· Production process passes

Retail & Consumer Products

· Smart packaging

· Product authentication tags

· Loyalty cards

Because of their low cost, MIFARE Ultralight cards are ideal for large-scale distribution and short-term use cases.

5. Types of MIFARE Ultralight Chips and Cards

Main chip types:

1). MIFARE Ultralight

· Basic model

· 48 bytes memory

2). MIFARE Ultralight C

· 3DES authentication

· Ideal for secured tickets

3). MIFARE Ultralight EV1

· Newest generation

· More memory (64 / 128 bytes)

· Better anti-tearing mechanism

· Improved durability and reliability

4). NTAG Series (Related Option)

· NTAG213 / NTAG215 / NTAG216

· Often used when smartphone compatibility is required

· More memory and better NFC performance

Physical card types:

· PVC RFID cards

· Paper RFID cards

· PET custom cards

· Adhesive NFC labels

· Silicone/Nylon NFC wristbands

· Keyfobs

· Hang tags

· Epoxy badges

· Custom-shaped RFID tokens

6. Technical Specifications (Expanded)

These specifications make the EV1 version more suitable for commercial-grade and industrial applications.

7. How to Choose the Right MIFARE Ultralight Card

Choose based on Security Needs

· Low: Ultralight

· Medium: Ultralight C

· Medium–High: Ultralight EV1

· High: AES-based cards

Choose based on Memory Requirements

· Short text / ID only → Ultralight

· Tickets or URL → EV1 or NTAG

· Multi-record storage → NTAG216

Choose based on Application Duration

· Single-use → Ultralight

· Few days / event → Ultralight EV1

· Long-term → DESFire or NTAG

Choose based on Card Material

· PVC → Most common

· Paper → Metro tickets

· PET → Durable and waterproof

· Silicone → Wristbands

8. How MIFARE Ultralight Cards Work (Reader Interaction)

MIFARE Ultralight uses a simple communication and memory structure:

Communication steps:

1). Reader sends wake-up signal

2). Card responds with UID

3). Reader selects and activates the card

4). Data is read/written using READ and WRITE commands

5). Lock bits can permanently lock memory

Important features:

· Lock bits: Once a page is locked, it cannot be modified again

· OTP bytes: One-Time Programmable area for irreversible data

· Anti-collision: Multiple cards can be scanned together

· No full encryption: Only basic access control

· This makes Ultralight excellent for speed and cost, but not for high-security applications.

9. When choosing a MIFARE Ultralight card:

Select the version based on security needs

Consider memory requirements and application duration

Choose the correct card material for the environment

Whether for events, public transportation, marketing, or consumer products, MIFARE Ultralight remains one of the most practical and cost-effective RFID/NFC technologies available today.

10. Conclusion

MIFARE Ultralight cards offer an excellent combination of low cost, fast performance, and wide compatibility, making them ideal for large-scale and short-term applications such as ticketing, events, transportation, and promotions.

However, because of their limited security, they are not suitable for sensitive applications like secure access control or financial transactions.

Need custom MIFARE Ultralight Cards or other RFID/NFC products?

Welcome to consult CBT, a manufacturer with 29+ years of RFID card production experience, supporting large-scale manufacturing.

If you need a quotation or technical solution, feel free to leave us a message — we will get back to you promptly with professional guidance and sample support.

11. FAQ

Q1. Can MIFARE Ultralight be cloned?

Yes, because it has no strong encryption. For security applications, use DESFire or NTAG 424.

Q2. Can smartphones read MIFARE Ultralight?

Yes, almost all NFC-enabled Android phones can read/write it.

Q3. Is MIFARE Ultralight secure?

Basic Ultralight is not secure. Ultralight C and EV1 offer improved protection but are not comparable to AES chips.

Q4. What is the memory size of Ultralight EV1?

64 bytes or 128 bytes depending on version.

Q5. Is MIFARE Ultralight suitable for payment or access control?

No, its security level is too low. Use DESFire EV3 or similar.

Q6. Are MIFARE Ultralight cards waterproof?

The chip itself is waterproof, but the material (PVC/PET/silicone) determines durability.

Q7. Can I use MIFARE Ultralight for hotel keycards?

Possible, but not recommended due to low security.

Q8. Is MIFARE Ultralight compatible with all RFID readers?

Most HF RFID and NFC readers support it.

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