What is PDF417 Generator?

PDF417 is a stacked linear barcode format used on ID cards, airline boarding passes, and shipping labels. Type any text to generate a PDF417 barcode with your choice of error correction level and size.

PDF417 packs more data than a regular QR code by stacking up to 90 rows of binary codewords. Driver licenses use it to encode your full record on the back stripe. The format handles up to ~1850 ASCII characters with error correction levels 0 through 8, where level 8 can survive about 50% damage.

How to use

1. Enter the text or data you want to encode into the PDF417 barcode.
2. Adjust the error correction level and column count to control barcode density and resilience.
3. Download the generated barcode as a PNG image for printing or embedding in documents.

When to use

• Encoding a shipping manifest or product spec sheet onto a printed label.
• Generating boarding passes or event tickets that store passenger data inline.
• Building inventory tags where the scanner reads address blocks, not just an ID.

Result

Encode your shipping address '123 Main St, Suite 4, New York, NY 10001' as a PDF417 barcode for a package label with error correction level 5.

FAQ

How much text can a PDF417 barcode actually hold?

About 1850 ASCII characters or 1100 bytes of binary data at the maximum row and column count. The capacity drops as error correction goes up. Past 500 characters the barcode gets visibly long and needs a wider label.

What error correction level should I pick?

Level 2 or 3 works for clean indoor labels. Use level 5 to 7 for outdoor packaging, ID cards, or anything that might get scuffed. Level 8 doubles the size but tolerates roughly half the symbol being damaged.

What's the difference between PDF417 and Compact PDF417?

Compact PDF417 removes the right row-indicator pattern, which makes the symbol about 25% smaller. Only some scanners can read it. Stick to standard PDF417 for unknown reader hardware.

Can a phone camera read PDF417?

Most modern phone barcode apps handle PDF417 fine. The native iOS Camera app reads it through the AVFoundation framework, and Google Lens recognises it on Android. Dedicated scanner apps work best for dense symbols.

Why does my barcode look stretched or squished?

Adjust the row height and column count, or tap an aspect-ratio preset (2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 3:2) to set both at once. PDF417 has no fixed aspect ratio, so the generator places data into whatever rectangle you specify, and the live row count next to the Columns slider shows the resulting grid. Common labels use 4-8 columns with row height 3 for a balanced look.

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