<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000899715-16-000293.txt : 20160304
<SEC-HEADER>0000899715-16-000293.hdr.sgml : 20160304
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20160304161113
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000899715-16-000293
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20160303
FILED AS OF DATE:		20160304
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20160304

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000899715
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				561815473
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0101

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3200 NORTHLINE AVENUE SUITE 360
		CITY:			GREENSBORO
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27408
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3362923010

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3200 NORTHLINE AVENUE SUITE 360
		CITY:			GREENSBORO
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27408

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			McDonough Thomas E.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001408616

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11986
		FILM NUMBER:		161485380

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1600 NE MIAMI GARDENS DRIVE
		CITY:			NORTH MIAMI BEACH
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33179
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>wf-form4_145712586223878.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2016-03-03</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000899715</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TANGER FACTORY OUTLET CENTERS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SKT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001408616</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>McDonough Thomas E.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3200 NORTHLINE AVENUE, STE 360</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENSBORO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>27408</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Chief Operating Officer</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2016-03-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10669</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>33.65</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>182942</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The sales reported in this Form 4 were effected pursuant to a previously adopted plan intended to comply with Rule 10b5-1.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents the weighted average sales price of multiple transactions ranging from $33.43 to $33.89.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ James F. Williams, attorney-in-fact for Mr. McDonough</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2016-03-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
