In this article, compact slot antenna based on split ring resonator (SRR) with circular polarization (CP) for 2.4/5 GHz WLAN applications is noticed. Using metamaterial with both negative permittivity and permeability improves the antenna parameters. Thus, the prototype antenna is designed based on metamaterial SRRs to achieve CP and compact size. The final antenna has bi‐directional pattern with CP and dual‐band at 2.2–2.8 GHz for WLAN, Bluetooth application, and 5.2–7 GHz for IEEE WLAN protocol with gain 2.1 and 2.5 dBi, respectively. The size of prototype patch antenna is 40 × 40 mm. It is designed and fabricated on FR‐4 low cost substrate with εr = 4.4 and thickness of 1.6 mm. It is simulated by HFSS commercial full wave software. In addition, the experimental results are presented and compared here with simulation. The antenna efficiency is more than 90% for first band and more than 80% for second band and typically is more than 70% in 2–7 GHz. The antenna gain is simulated and compared with measurement and antenna gain is around 3–4.5 dBi. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:12–16, 2016