Traceability, Serialization & Lot Genealogy worked example

RFID Tag Cost at 70% first-pass read-verify yield: a worked example

This worked example runs the rfid tag cost numbers for a tougher week than the baseline: 70% first-pass read-verify yield instead of the typical 97%. Estimates the all-in RFID tagging spend for a serialized production run including consumable inlays and one-time reader infrastructure.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Units to be RFID tagged: 50,000 units (held at the documented default)
  • RFID inlay price each: 0.12 $/tag (held at the documented default)
  • First-pass read-verify yield: 70 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 97)
  • Reader and middleware fixed setup: 8,500 $ (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Total tag spend = tagged units x tag price each x read-verify yield% + reader setup.
  • Total rfid tag cost works out to 12,700 $ at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Rfid tag cost per unit works out to 0.25 $ / piece at these inputs.
  • Variable rfid tag cost works out to 4,200 $ at these inputs.
  • Fixed rfid tag cost adder works out to 8,500 $ at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where first-pass read-verify yield sits at 97% and the headline result is 14,320 $, this scenario comes in 11.31% below the baseline at 12,700 $.
  • Use it when building the business case for an RFID program or comparing tagging cost against barcode labeling for a SKU or facility. A result at this level usually justifies acting on the stressed input before touching anything else, because every other figure in the table is downstream of it.

Results at a glance

  • Total rfid tag cost: 12,700 $ (headline result)
  • Rfid tag cost per unit: 0.25 $ / piece
  • Variable rfid tag cost: 4,200 $
  • Fixed rfid tag cost adder: 8,500 $

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live RFID Tag Cost calculator, set first-pass read-verify yield to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.