Don't like ads? Go Ad-Free Today 

PDF417 Barcode Generator

DataDeveloper

ADVERTISEMENT · REMOVE?

INPUT

Auto Process

OUTPUT

Client Side

ADVERTISEMENT · REMOVE?

Guide

PDF417 Barcode Generator

Generate PDF417 stacked linear barcodes from text, IDs, shipping labels, or any structured data. PDF417 is the standard barcode format for US driver’s licences, boarding passes, and government IDs. Configure error correction level, column count, row height, and module scale, then download the result as a PNG.

How to Use

Enter your data in the text field or use a preset (ID card, shipping label, URL). Set error correction level (0–8, higher means more redundancy), adjust columns (0 for auto), row height multiplier, and module width/scale. The barcode renders instantly — click Download to export as PNG.

Features

Real-time rendering – barcode updates as you type
Configurable error correction – levels 0–8 for different redundancy requirements
Column control – set column count manually or let the encoder choose automatically
Row height multiplier – adjust the aspect ratio of the barcode rows
Module width/scale – control physical output size
Built-in presets – ID card data, shipping label, and URL examples
PNG download – export at configurable scale

ADVERTISEMENT · REMOVE?

 FAQ

What is PDF417 and where is it used?

PDF417 is a stacked linear 2D barcode symbology developed by Symbol Technologies in 1991. The name stands for Portable Data File with 4 bars and 17 modules per codeword. It is the mandated format for US and Canadian driver’s licences (AAMVA standard), US passports, boarding passes, shipping labels (UPS, FedEx), and many government identity documents because of its large data capacity and high error tolerance.
How much data can a PDF417 barcode hold?

PDF417 can encode up to 1,850 text characters, 2,710 numeric digits, or 1,108 bytes of binary data in a single symbol. The actual capacity depends on the error correction level chosen — higher error correction levels add redundant codewords that reduce the available payload space. PDF417 supports mixed content, allowing text, numbers, and binary data in the same symbol.
What is Reed-Solomon error correction and how does it work in PDF417?

Reed-Solomon is a forward error correction algorithm that adds mathematically computed redundant codewords to the data. In PDF417, error correction levels 0–8 add 2ˣ redundant codewords (level 0 adds 2, level 8 adds 512). The decoder can recover from erasures (known-position damage) and errors (unknown-position corruption) up to half the total redundant codewords, making high-level PDF417 barcodes readable even with significant physical damage.
How is PDF417 different from QR code and Data Matrix?

PDF417 is a stacked linear barcode (rows of 1D barcodes), while QR Code and Data Matrix are true 2D matrix codes. PDF417 is optimised for high-capacity text and binary data in a rectangular format suited to ID cards and documents. QR Code has better omnidirectional readability and is more compact for URLs and short text. Data Matrix is preferred for very small labels on electronic components where space is minimal.