# Contactless: what it is and how it works · Zorraquino
> Contactless is technology for paying or identifying yourself by holding a card or phone near a reader, without physical contact.
URL: https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-marketing/contactless-.html

# Contactless

Contactless refers to technology that lets people pay or identify themselves by holding a card, phone or device near a reader, without physical contact or insertion

What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.

[The whole glossary](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary)

## What it is and how it works

It usually relies on NFC or other short-range radio-frequency technologies and is now common in bank cards, phones, watches and public transport. By extension, the term describes processes that avoid physical contact with customers or shared surfaces, such as QR-code menus, contactless collection or self-service.

That broader use, sometimes called contactless marketing, gained ground during the 2020 pandemic. It should not be confused with distance selling: a contactless process may still be in person and simply avoid shared handling.

Also known as

Contactless payment, Tap to pay

Topics

[Marketing and sales](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/category/marketing-y-ventas)

## Related concepts

- [NFC](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/nfc.html)
- [QR code](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/qr-code.html)
- [Customer experience](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/customer-experience.html)