RC522 RFID Reader Module 13.56MHz - MFRC522 Card Reader/Writer with S50 Card and Key Fob, SPI Interface, for Arduino, ESP32 & Raspberry Pi Access Control Projects

The RC522 is the most popular RFID reader for maker projects. Built around the NXP MFRC522 chip, it reads and writes 13.56MHz MIFARE cards and tags, so you can add contactless access control, attendance logging, cashless payment demos or tap-to-start features to Arduino, ESP32 and Raspberry Pi projects. The pack includes a white S50 card and a blue key fob to start testing straight away.

The MFRC522 handles the full 13.56MHz radio link and ISO/IEC 14443A protocol on its own; your microcontroller talks to it over SPI at up to 10Mbit/s. The onboard PCB antenna reads cards and fobs from roughly 3 to 5 cm. It works with the widely used MFRC522 Arduino library and equivalent Python libraries for Raspberry Pi, with ready-made examples for reading card UIDs, reading and writing data blocks, and changing keys.

• Chip: NXP MFRC522
• Frequency: 13.56MHz
• Supported cards: MIFARE Classic 1K (S50), 4K (S70), Ultralight, DESFire and other ISO/IEC 14443A tags
• Interface: SPI (I2C and UART supported by the chip)
• Supply voltage: 3.3V DC
• Operating current: 13-26mA; idle 10-13mA; sleep below 80uA
• Read distance: about 3-5cm (depends on card and antenna)
• Board size: approx. 60 x 40mm
• Pin header: 8 pins, 2.54mm pitch (SDA, SCK, MOSI, MISO, IRQ, GND, RST, 3.3V)

Door locks and access control, attendance and time-clock systems, library or tool check-out, cashless vending demos, smart home triggers, interactive museum and classroom projects, and pet feeders that recognise a tagged pet.

Power the module from 3.3V only. Its logic pins are 3.3V; with a 5V Arduino UNO it normally works on the 3.3V pin, but a level shifter is the safer choice for long-term builds. Typical UNO wiring: SDA to D10, SCK to D13, MOSI to D11, MISO to D12, RST to D9, GND to GND, 3.3V to 3.3V. The pin headers are supplied loose and need soldering. Keep metal surfaces away from the antenna side, as they reduce read range.