The Low Frequency (LF) band covers frequencies from 30 KHz to 300 KHz. Typically LF RFID systems operate at 125 KHz, although there are some that operate at 134 KHz. This frequency band provides a short read range (of 10 cm), and has slower read speed than the higher frequencies, but is not very sensitive to radio wave interference.

The UHF frequency band is regulated by a single global standard called the ECPglobal Gen2 (ISO 18000-63) UHF standard, which uses the 860 to 960 MHz band. The read range of passive UHF systems can be as long as 12 m, and UHF RFID has a faster data transfer rate than LF or HF. UHF RFID is the most sensitive to interference, but many UHF product manufacturers have found ways of designing tags, antennas, and readers to keep performance high even in difficult environments.