Free PDF 417 Barcode Generator

Generate PDF 417 barcodes — the high-capacity stacked symbology used on driver's licenses, airline boarding passes, and government identity documents.

PDF 417 GENERATOR

Create your free PDF 417 instantly

Generate PDF 417 barcodes for free. No registration required, no watermarks, no limits.

Enter your content

qr_code_2

Your QR code will automatically appear here

tuneCustomize appearanceexpand_more

What Is a PDF 417 Barcode?

PDF 417 (Portable Data File) is a stacked linear barcode symbology invented by Ynjiun Wang at Symbol Technologies in 1991 and standardized under ISO/IEC 15438. The name reflects its structure: each pattern in the code consists of 4 bars and spaces in a module 17 units wide. It bridges the gap between simple 1D barcodes and full 2D matrix codes.

PDF 417 organizes data into multiple rows of codewords stacked vertically, with each row functioning like a miniature linear barcode. This architecture allows the symbology to store up to 2,710 numeric characters, 1,850 alphanumeric characters, or 1,108 bytes of binary data — far more than any single-row barcode. Reed-Solomon error correction protects the payload against partial damage.

The symbology is mandated by numerous government and transportation standards. The AAMVA (American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators) requires PDF 417 on the back of all US and Canadian driver's licenses, IATA uses it for paper boarding passes, and many national postal services employ it for registered-mail tracking.

How to Create a PDF 417

  1. 1

    Enter Your Content

    Type or paste the text or structured data you want to encode. PDF 417 can hold large volumes of alphanumeric, numeric, or binary information.

  2. 2

    Select PDF 417 Format

    Choose 'PDF 417' from the barcode type selector so the generator creates a properly formatted stacked barcode with start/stop patterns.

  3. 3

    Configure Appearance

    Set colors, row height, and column count to control the barcode's aspect ratio and fit it within your document or card layout.

  4. 4

    Verify the Preview

    Review the stacked barcode in the live preview. Confirm that the row count is manageable and the symbol decodes to the correct data.

  5. 5

    Download the Barcode

    Export the PDF 417 barcode as a PNG or SVG file for use on ID cards, boarding-pass templates, shipping forms, or government documents.

Key Features

inventory_2

High Data Capacity

Store up to 1,850 text characters in a single barcode — enough for complete address blocks, biometric templates, or encoded document data.

security

Reed-Solomon Error Correction

Configurable error-correction levels protect your data from tears, creases, and partial obscuration common on folded paper documents.

credit_card

Government-Grade Compliance

Generate barcodes that meet AAMVA driver's-license standards and IATA boarding-pass specifications without additional configuration.

straighten

Flexible Aspect Ratio

Adjust row height and column count to shape the barcode for wide labels, narrow ID cards, or tall shipping forms as needed.

Use Cases

Driver's Licenses and State IDs

US and Canadian motor-vehicle departments encode holder demographics, license class, endorsements, and restrictions in the PDF 417 barcode on the back of every driver's license per AAMVA standards.

Airline Paper Boarding Passes

Airlines print PDF 417 barcodes on paper boarding passes containing passenger name, flight details, and a digital signature for gate-reader validation per IATA Resolution 792.

Government Identity Documents

National ID programs and visa-issuance systems embed biographic data and digital signatures in PDF 417 barcodes on travel documents and residency permits.

Postal Registered Mail

Postal services encode sender/recipient addresses, tracking numbers, and declared values in PDF 417 barcodes on registered and insured mail labels.

Hazardous Material Shipping Labels

Chemical shippers encode UN numbers, proper shipping names, and emergency-response data in PDF 417 barcodes on hazmat placards per DOT and IMDG regulations.

Tax and Customs Declarations

Revenue authorities embed structured declaration data in PDF 417 barcodes printed on tax returns and customs forms, enabling automated data capture at processing centers.

Tips & Best Practices

  • check_circleUse error-correction level 5 (out of 0-8) as a balanced default that provides strong damage tolerance without excessively increasing the barcode size.
  • check_circleKeep row height at a minimum of 3x the module width to ensure reliable scanning across a range of reader hardware.
  • check_circleIf the barcode will be printed on foldable paper (like a boarding pass), increase the error-correction level to compensate for crease damage.
  • check_circleLimit column count to 3-4 for narrow labels and increase it for wider surfaces to produce a more compact vertical symbol.
  • check_circleTest your barcode with a 2D imager — standard laser scanners cannot read PDF 417 because it is a stacked symbology, not a simple linear code.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does PDF stand for in PDF 417?expand_more
PDF stands for Portable Data File, not the document format. The 417 refers to the symbol structure: each codeword pattern is composed of 4 bars and spaces that are 17 modules wide. The name reflects the symbology's ability to function as a portable, self-contained data file.
How much data can PDF 417 hold?expand_more
PDF 417 can encode up to 2,710 numeric digits, 1,850 text characters, or 1,108 bytes of binary data. The practical limit depends on the error-correction level chosen — higher correction reserves more codewords for recovery and reduces the usable payload capacity.
Can a laser scanner read PDF 417?expand_more
Standard single-line laser scanners cannot read PDF 417 because the stacked rows require a 2D imaging scan. You need a 2D area imager, a rastering laser scanner, or a camera-based reader to decode PDF 417 barcodes successfully.
Why is PDF 417 used on driver's licenses?expand_more
AAMVA chose PDF 417 because it can store the full set of required cardholder data — name, address, date of birth, license class, endorsements, and restrictions — in a single barcode that fits on the back of a standard ID card. Its error correction also handles the wear and tear cards endure in wallets.
Is PDF 417 the same as a 2D barcode?expand_more
PDF 417 is classified as a stacked linear (or multi-row) barcode rather than a true 2D matrix barcode. It encodes data across multiple rows of linear patterns, whereas true 2D codes like QR and Data Matrix use a grid of individual modules. Despite the technical distinction, PDF 417 is often grouped with 2D symbologies because it requires an imaging scanner.

Other Barcode Types

Aztec CodeCode 128 BarcodeCode 39 BarcodeEAN-13 BarcodeEAN-8 BarcodeUPC-A BarcodeData Matrix

Create Your Free PDF 417 Now

No registration required. No watermarks. No limits. Completely free.