<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000899715-17-000057.txt : 20170216
<SEC-HEADER>0000899715-17-000057.hdr.sgml : 20170216
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20170216181907
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000899715-17-000057
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20170214
FILED AS OF DATE:		20170216
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20170216

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:			SCHUMAN ALLAN L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001159193

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11986
		FILM NUMBER:		17619214
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>wf-form4_148728713392830.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2017-02-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001159193</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SCHUMAN ALLAN L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5541 VINTAGE OAKS TERRACE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DELRAY BEACH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33484-6302</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2017-02-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4787</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>76883</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents a grant of restricted common shares approved by the Company's Board of Directors on February 14, 2017 under the Company's Amended and Restated Incentive Award Plan. The restricted shares vest evenly over a three year period on December 31st of each year.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ James F. Williams, attorney-in-fact for Mr. Schuman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2017-02-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
