What is a form factor?

As IoT devices come in different dimensions, so do SIM cards. A form factor refers to the physical size and dimensions of the SIM card. The three most common sizes required by SIM card slots in IoT devices, from largest to smallest, are 2FF, 3FF and 4FF. Each generation is smaller than the previous one. Another common form factor is MFF2 (embedded SIM card), which is soldered into the printed circuit board of a device. This integration provides a compact and space-saving solution for devices where a removable SIM card slot is not feasible or required.

SIM form factor dimensions:

  • 2FF (mini): 25mm x 15mm x 0.76mm
  • 3FF (micro): 15mm x 12mm x 0.76mm
  • 4FF (nano): 12.3mm × 8.8mm × 0.67mm
  • MFF2 (embedded): 5mm x 6mm x 1mm

The IoT Guide’s standard SIM card is a 3:1 SIM, which supports 2FF, 3FF and 4FF. The wide compatibility range of 3:1 SIMs increase the flexibility of your IoT deployment.