PDF417
A stacked linear barcode encoding up to 1,850 alphanumeric characters across multiple rows, with built-in Reed-Solomon error correction. PDF417 is the standard format for US driver's licenses, airline boarding passes, and other government ID documents that require high data capacity in a printable format.
PDF417
StackedRelated Tools
Barcode Generator
Generate production-ready barcodes in 20+ symbologies including EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 128, Data Matrix, and PDF417. Download as SVG or PNG …
Barcode Reader
Scan and decode barcodes using your device camera or by uploading an image. Supports all major 1D and 2D symbologies …
Symbology Recommender
Answer a series of questions about your data type, scanning environment, label space, and industry to get a personalized barcode …
Related Guides
1D vs 2D Barcodes: Key Differences Explained
A side-by-side comparison of one-dimensional linear barcodes and two-dimensional matrix codes, covering data capacity, scanning, and use cases.
Choosing the Right Barcode Format for Your Project
A decision framework for selecting the best barcode symbology based on data type, scanning environment, label size, and industry requirements.
Barcode Data Capacity: How Much Can Each Format Store?
A comparative reference of data capacity across 30 barcode symbologies — from 8-digit UPC-E to 7,089-character QR codes.
Error Correction in 2D Barcodes: Reed-Solomon & Beyond
How 2D barcodes recover from damage using Reed-Solomon error correction, and what error correction levels mean in practice.
PDF417: The Stacked Barcode on Your Driver's License
How PDF417 works: row-based structure, macro mode for large data, error correction levels, and its role in ID cards, boarding …
ISO/IEC 15415: 2D Barcode Verification Standards
Verifying 2D barcode quality under ISO/IEC 15415 — cell contrast, modulation, grid non-uniformity, and axial non-uniformity parameters.
Mobile Wallet Barcodes: Apple Wallet, Google Pay & Passbook
How barcodes power mobile wallet passes — boarding passes, event tickets, loyalty cards, and the PKPass/SaveToPay formats.
Event Ticketing Barcodes: From PDF to Mobile
Barcode systems for event ticketing — PDF417 on paper tickets, Aztec in mobile wallets, anti-forgery measures, and gate scanning workflows.
Barcode Data Security: Encryption & Tamper Detection
Securing barcode data — encrypted payloads, digital signatures, tamper-evident encoding, and preventing barcode spoofing attacks.
The Rise of 2D Barcodes: From PDF417 to Data Matrix
How 2D barcodes emerged in the 1990s — PDF417 for ID cards, Data Matrix for manufacturing, and the quest for …