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Free PDF417 Barcode Generator Online

Generate a PDF417 barcode for boarding passes, ID documents, and applications requiring dense data encoding.

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0/1850 characters · Supports text and numeric data

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How to generate a PDF417 barcode

Enter or paste the text you want to encode. PDF417 handles large volumes of text efficiently - paste a full address, a structured data record, or any text up to 1,850 characters. Click Generate to create the barcode, then download as SVG for print or PNG for digital use.

The symbol dimensions adjust automatically to the data volume. A short string produces a compact symbol; a long text block produces a taller, multi-row symbol. The error correction level is set to 2 (moderate), which is appropriate for most printed label applications.

PDF417 in transport and identity documents

PDF417 became the standard barcode for identity and travel documents because it can encode the full text of a driver licence or travel document in a compact printed symbol. The AAMVA (American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators) standard for US and Canadian driving licences specifies PDF417 for the mandatory machine-readable zone on the back of the card. IATA uses PDF417 for boarding pass barcodes on passenger boarding passes.

Printing tips for PDF417

  • Use the SVG download for professional print production - it scales without quality loss
  • Print at a minimum module width of 0.25 mm for general-purpose label scanning
  • Maintain the quiet zone of at least 2 module widths on all sides
  • Do not crop or resize the barcode unevenly - both width and height are critical
  • Use black on white - avoid gradients or coloured backgrounds

Frequently asked questions

What is a PDF417 barcode?

PDF417 is a stacked linear barcode format developed by Symbol Technologies in 1991. The name stands for Portable Data File 417, referring to the 4-bar, 17-module structure of each codeword. It is a high-capacity 2D barcode that stores data in a series of rows, each row being a standard linear barcode. It is widely used on driving licences, passports, airline boarding passes, and shipping labels where large amounts of text data need to be encoded in a linear-style symbol.

How much data can a PDF417 barcode hold?

PDF417 can hold up to 1,850 alphanumeric characters, 2,710 numeric digits, or 1,108 bytes of binary data in a single symbol. This high data capacity makes it suitable for encoding full identity documents, multi-field form data, and other dense text payloads. The symbol size adjusts automatically based on the data volume.

What is the difference between PDF417 and QR code?

PDF417 is a stacked linear barcode - it looks like multiple thin barcodes stacked on top of each other. QR codes are a true 2D matrix format. PDF417 generally encodes more data per square millimetre than most 1D barcodes but less than QR codes at comparable sizes. PDF417 is preferred in government and transport applications due to its established standards, while QR codes are dominant in consumer and marketing contexts.

Where is PDF417 used in practice?

PDF417 is most commonly seen on US driving licences (encoding the AAMVA standard driver data), airline boarding passes (IATA standard), US passports (visas and travel documents), and some shipping labels and postal applications. It is also used on event tickets, loyalty cards, and in healthcare for patient identification. These are all applications where the code needs to carry a significant amount of structured data.

Can smartphones scan PDF417 barcodes?

Most smartphones can scan PDF417 with a dedicated barcode scanner app. The built-in camera apps on iOS and Android do not natively decode PDF417 in all versions - iOS adds more format support with each release. Apps such as Scandit, ZXing (many Android apps use this), and Cognex Mobile Barcode Scanner all support PDF417. For boarding passes, the iOS Wallet app reads the PDF417 data directly.

What error correction level does PDF417 use?

PDF417 supports 9 error correction levels (0–8). Level 0 provides minimal redundancy; level 8 provides the maximum, at the cost of a significantly larger symbol. This tool generates barcodes at level 2 (moderate error correction), which provides a reasonable balance between symbol size and damage tolerance for typical printed label applications. For mission-critical applications such as ID documents, higher error correction levels are standard.

What is Micro PDF417 and is it the same as PDF417?

Micro PDF417 is a compact variant of PDF417 that uses a reduced set of codewords and is optimised for smaller data payloads. It is designed for use on smaller labels where a full PDF417 symbol would be too large. Micro PDF417 is defined in ISO/IEC 24728. This tool generates standard full PDF417 symbols, not Micro PDF417.

What print size does a PDF417 barcode need?

There is no single standard size for PDF417 - the symbol dimensions grow with the data content and number of rows. Each module (cell) should be at least 0.19 mm wide for reliable scanning in professional environments, with 0.25 mm or larger recommended for general-purpose label printing. The barcode height should not be reduced below the height generated by this tool, as PDF417 relies on a minimum height-to-width ratio for successful decoding.

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