Data rules
Any printable ASCII, up to 1,000 characters
- Length: 1–1000 characters
- Character set: alphanumeric
- Check digit: not used
- Quiet zone: 2 modules
2D codes
PDF417
PDF417 is a stacked linear symbology holding well over a kilobyte of data — used on IDs, boarding passes and shipping labels.
Preview
Enter valid data to see the barcode.
Encoding happens entirely in your browser. This tool encodes numbers you already own — it does not issue or register GS1 company prefixes.
Printing notes
- PDF417 stacks 3 to 90 rows of codewords and carries selectable Reed-Solomon error correction levels 0–8.
- It is the symbology behind most driving licences and airline boarding passes.
Workflow links
Related barcode formats
What is PDF417?
PDF417 is a stacked linear symbology that encodes up to roughly 1,800 characters across multiple rows of codewords. Selectable error correction levels let it survive substantial damage.
Its capacity is why identity documents use it: a US driving licence PDF417 carries name, address, date of birth and issuing data in a single symbol.
Frequently asked questions
Is this PDF417 generator free to use?
Yes. The PDF417 generator is free, has no signup and adds no watermark. The symbol is encoded in your browser, so the data you type is never uploaded to a server.
What file format should I download for printing PDF417?
Download SVG for anything that will be printed. SVG is vector, so bar widths and the quiet zone stay exact at any size. PNG is fine for screens and slide decks, but never scale a PNG barcode up — enlarging it blurs the bar edges and scanners start failing.
How much data can PDF417 hold?
Around 1,800 ASCII characters, or 1,100 bytes, at the lowest error-correction level. Raising the correction level trades capacity for damage tolerance.
Standards & references
This page follows the published specifications. The bodies that own them: