Paxton 125 kHz / 13.56 MHz Technology explainer

Paxton Net2 Credentials

A widely deployed access platform with a proprietary proximity token and a separate smart-credential line — a facility guide to Net2 credentialing and where open EM-class prox fits.

Can you buy third-party Paxton Net2 Credentials cards?

Paxton Net2 is a widely deployed access platform. Its standard proximity token (the 692-500 card, 695-644 fob) uses Paxton's own proprietary 125 kHz encoding ordered through Paxton's channel, and Paxton offers a separate higher-security 13.56 MHz smart credential. Where Net2 multi-format readers additionally accept open EM-class 125 kHz proximity, American Key Cards supplies that open-format stock.

125 kHz / 13.56 MHz
Frequency
Access control — Paxton-proprietary 125 kHz prox token, plus a separate higher-security 13.56 MHz smart credential line on multi-format readers
Technology
3
Bit formats
4+
OEM part nos.
Brand channel
Order from

Paxton Net2 is enormously popular, and its credentialing has a wrinkle worth understanding: the standard 'proximity' token uses Paxton's own encoding rather than an open format, so it's ordered through Paxton. This page explains the Net2 credential tiers and where standard open EM-class proximity fits — the side we can supply. We don't reproduce Paxton's proprietary token; we supply the open prox its multi-format readers accept.

How Net2 credentials work

Net2 is Paxton's established networked access platform, deployed across a huge number of commercial and multi-tenant buildings. Its standard credential — the 692-500 ISO card, the 695-644 key fob, and related clamshell and disc bodies — uses a Paxton-proprietary 125 kHz encoding with a token-to-reader authentication step, addressed by an 8-digit token number rather than the facility-code/card-number structure of open Wiegand formats.

Because the encoding is Paxton's own and the tokens are administered through Paxton's ecosystem, the standard Net2 token is ordered through Paxton's installer and dealer channel. That's the cleanest route for a building running the proprietary token.

Paxton's credential tiers

Paxton also offers a separate, higher-security 13.56 MHz smart-credential line used with multi-format readers like the P50 — the option for sites that want stronger, clone-resistant credentials than the proprietary proximity token provides. That secured line is likewise a Paxton product, ordered through Paxton.

And importantly for sourcing, Paxton's Net2 multi-format readers can additionally read standard open EM-class 125 kHz proximity. That's the one credential class on a Net2 site that isn't Paxton-proprietary — and it's a standard, supply-able format.

The open-prox side we supply

Where a Net2 multi-format reader is configured to accept open EM-class 125 kHz proximity, those are standard credentials an independent manufacturer can provide — programmed to the IDs your system expects. That's our lane on a Paxton site.

For the proprietary Net2 token itself, the right route is Paxton's channel, and we'll say so rather than muddy it. If you're not sure which credential your building uses — the proprietary Paxton token, the 13.56 MHz smart credential, or open EM-class prox — send us a photo and we'll help you identify it, then supply the open-format stock if that's what applies.

Paxton Net2 Credentials specifications

System brand
Paxton Access Ltd.
Technology
Access control — Paxton-proprietary 125 kHz proximity token, plus a separate higher-security 13.56 MHz smart credential line on multi-format readers
Frequency
125 kHz / 13.56 MHz
Credential platform
Paxton's standard Net2 proximity token uses a Paxton-proprietary 125 kHz encoding with a token/reader authentication step; Paxton also offers a separate higher-security 13.56 MHz smart-credential line, and Net2 multi-format readers additionally read open EM-class 125 kHz proximity
Bit formats
Paxton-proprietary Net2 proximity token encoding (8-digit token number, not a Wiegand facility-code structure), Open EM-class 125 kHz proximity (Net2 multi-format readers), Paxton higher-security 13.56 MHz smart credential (separate line)
OEM part numbers
692-500 (Net2 proximity ISO card), 695-644 (Net2 proximity key fob), 820-050 (clamshell), 660-111 (adhesive disc) — ordered through Paxton's channel

Specifications reviewed August 2026

How to order Paxton Net2 Credentials credentials

Paxton's standard Net2 proximity token uses Paxton's proprietary encoding and is ordered through Paxton's installer/dealer channel; its separate higher-security 13.56 MHz smart credential is likewise a Paxton product. Where Net2 multi-format readers additionally accept open EM-class 125 kHz proximity, American Key Cards supplies that open-format stock.

Paxton Net2 multi-format readers additionally accept standard open EM-class 125 kHz proximity — that open-format stock we supply (see our EM-format cards). The Paxton-proprietary Net2 token and Paxton's 13.56 MHz smart credential are ordered through Paxton's channel.

Editorial reference page. American Key Cards is an independent credential supplier and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Paxton. We do not sell Paxton's secured credentials (we supply only the open, standard-format proximity credentials described above); brand and product names appear only to identify the technology discussed, and all trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.

Readers in this ecosystem

Paxton Net2 proximity readersPaxton Net2 multi-format readers (also read open EM-class prox)Paxton Net2 P50 reader (for the separate 13.56 MHz smart-credential line)

Paxton Net2 Credentials — FAQ

Is the Paxton Net2 proximity token an open format?

No — the standard Net2 token uses Paxton's own proprietary 125 kHz encoding, addressed by an 8-digit token number, and is ordered through Paxton's channel. Where Net2 multi-format readers additionally accept open EM-class proximity, that open-format stock is what we supply.

Can a standard prox card work on a Paxton Net2 reader?

On multi-format Net2 readers configured to accept open EM-class 125 kHz proximity, yes — and that's the stock we provide. The proprietary Paxton token and Paxton's 13.56 MHz smart credential come through Paxton's channel.

How do I order Paxton Net2 tokens?

The standard proximity token (692-500, 695-644) and the higher-security 13.56 MHz smart credential are both Paxton products, ordered through a Paxton installer or dealer. We supply only the open EM-class prox that Net2 multi-format readers additionally accept.

Which credential does my Net2 site use?

It could be the proprietary Paxton proximity token, Paxton's 13.56 MHz smart credential, or open EM-class prox on a multi-format reader. Send us a photo of a working credential and reader and we'll identify it — and supply the open-prox stock if that's what your readers accept.