PDF417 Barcode Generator
PDF417 is a high-capacity, rectangular, "stacked" 2D barcode format that can hold far more text than a typical linear barcode. It's the format printed on the back of many U.S. driver's licenses and government ID cards, and it also shows up on government forms, boarding passes, and shipping and inventory labels. This tool encodes any text or data you give it into a PDF417 barcode — enter your content below, preview it live, and download it as a PNG or SVG. Need something that stays readable at a much smaller size instead? Try the Data Matrix Generator. After generating a code, scan the code afterward to confirm it decodes correctly with the 2D Barcode Reader. And if you just need something every phone camera reads instantly without an app, a QR code is the simpler default.
Barcode Content
0 characters
Enter some content above to preview your barcode
How to Use
- Type or paste the text or data you want to encode into the Content box.
- Check Include human-readable text if you want the raw content printed underneath the barcode as well.
- Watch the preview update automatically as you type.
- Choose a Download Scale — larger scales produce a bigger image, useful for printing.
- Download as a PNG for most uses, or an SVG if you need to resize it for large printing without losing quality.
- Before printing in bulk, test-scan the result with the 2D Barcode Reader to confirm it decodes correctly.
What Is PDF417?
PDF417 is a "stacked" barcode format — instead of a single row of bars like a UPC or Code 128 barcode, it's made up of multiple rows of a linear-like pattern stacked on top of one another, forming a rectangular block. That structure lets it hold far more data than a typical 1D barcode: hundreds or even thousands of characters instead of a few dozen.
Because of that capacity, PDF417 is commonly used wherever a barcode needs to carry a meaningful chunk of information rather than just a lookup number — government-issued IDs, boarding passes, and logistics and inventory labels are some of the most common places you'll encounter it.
Tips for a Reliable Scan
Keep your content reasonably short. Long PDF417 codes stretch very wide, and very long input can make the resulting barcode hard to scan or print cleanly — try to keep it under a few hundred characters when possible.
Print or display the code at a large enough scale that the individual bars stay distinct, and keep the contrast high — avoid placing the barcode over a colored or busy background, since scanners rely on a clean, high-contrast image.
Always test-scan a new barcode with the 2D Barcode Reader before printing or distributing it in bulk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PDF417 used for?
PDF417 is used anywhere a barcode needs to carry a large amount of data, such as government ID cards, boarding passes, shipping labels, and inventory tracking.
Does this work for driver's license or ID data?
No. Official ID barcodes follow a strict government-defined data format (AAMVA) that this general-purpose tool does not replicate. This tool is for encoding your own plain text or data, not for producing official documents.
Is there a data limit?
Yes. PDF417 has a practical capacity limit of around 1,800 bytes, or roughly 1,800 characters. Very long input may fail to generate or become difficult to scan reliably.
Can I include human-readable text under the barcode?
Yes. Check the Include human-readable text below the barcode box above the preview to print your content beneath the barcode itself.
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything is generated locally in your browser — your content is never uploaded or sent to a server.
