Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of NanoString Technologies, Inc. of our report dated March 11, 2013 relating to the consolidated financial statements of NanoString Technologies, Inc., which appears in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Seattle, Washington

May 20, 2013