No Products in the Cart
In today’s world, access control systems are the backbone of secure entry management for offices, apartment complexes, schools, and industrial facilities. Whether you’re issuing ID cards for employees or setting up new readers for a property, choosing the right access control credential—such as a 26 bit key fob, proximity card, or smartcard—is essential to ensuring both security and compatibility.
Free samples to test are available: Contact us to request a free sample
Access control cards are identification credentials that store unique data, which a card reader uses to grant or deny access to doors or restricted areas. These cards typically operate at 125 kHz (Proximity) or 13.56 MHz (Smartcard/NFC) frequencies and come in various bit formats that define how data is structured.
One of the most common formats is the 26 bit key fob, also known as H10301 26-bit. It’s widely used across commercial buildings and is compatible with many popular reader brands such as HID, AWID, and Keri Systems.
Proximity credentials, like the 26 bit key fob, communicate with a reader using 125 kHz low-frequency technology. These fobs and cards are durable, affordable, and reliable for general-purpose access systems.
Typical Uses:
Benefits:
Smartcards use high-frequency 13.56 MHz technology and can store more complex data for encryption, multi-application access, or time-tracking integration. Formats include MIFARE Classic, MIFARE DESFire, and iCLASS SE.
Best For:
As smartphones become a part of daily life, mobile credentials are increasingly common. Using NFC or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), these digital “cards” allow secure access with a phone instead of a physical fob.
Advantages:
The bit format defines how your card or fob communicates with the reader. A 26 bit key fob has 255 possible facility codes and 65,535 unique card numbers, making it the industry’s most widely supported format.
However, other formats—such as 33-bit DSX, 37-bit HID Corporate 1000, and 36-bit S12906—offer increased range and security for enterprise-level systems.
Before ordering new credentials, always confirm your reader’s bit format and facility code requirements to ensure compatibility.
At AuthorizID, we specialize in high-quality proximity and smartcard credentials, including 26 bit key fobs, ISO cards, adhesive tags, and printable CR80 cards. We work with a wide range of access control systems and can help you match the exact format and facility code you need—whether you’re managing a single building or hundreds of doors across multiple properties.
Free samples to test are available: Contact us to request a free sample
