Barcode PDF417 Generator

PDF417 is the stacked 2D barcode on the back of US and Canadian driver's licences, on many boarding passes, shipping labels, ID cards and government forms. It holds far more than a normal barcode — up to about 1,850 text characters — and its error correction keeps it readable when part of the label is scratched or smudged.

This generator produces genuine, scannable PDF417 symbols using bwip-js, a JavaScript port of Barcode Writer in Pure PostScript, a long-standing barcode encoder. You control the error-correction level (or leave it automatic), the number of data columns, the module size, and whether to use the compact variant for narrow labels.

Batch mode turns every line of your input into its own barcode, and results download as PNG, SVG (for crisp printing at any size) or a multi-page PDF.

Everything is generated in your browser, so data such as test ID records, ticket codes or shipment references isn't uploaded anywhere.

A note on why generator quality matters: a PDF417 symbol is made of rows of codewords with start and stop patterns, row indicators and Reed–Solomon error-correction codewords. A barcode that merely looks similar will be rejected by every scanner. The output of this tool is decodable by standard readers — ZXing, the library inside many phone scanner apps, reads it back to the exact input text — which is the test that counts.

How It Works

1. Enter the data — type or paste text. In batch mode, each non-empty line becomes a separate barcode (up to 200 per run).
2. Choose symbol settings — error correction (automatic, or level 2–6), data columns (automatic, or 3–15), module size, and standard or compact PDF417.
3. Generate and download — bwip-js encodes the text into PDF417 codewords with Reed–Solomon error correction and draws the symbol. Download PNG, SVG or PDF; batches download as a ZIP or a multi-page PDF.

Compatibility & Support

Supported Input → Output Formats

• Input: text, numbers and symbols; batch mode one value per line
• Output: PNG (raster), SVG (vector) and PDF (one barcode per page)
• Symbologies: PDF417 and compact (truncated) PDF417

Unsupported Formats

Data longer than one symbol can hold (about 1,850 text characters, fewer with high error correction) produces an error; split it or lower the error-correction level. Macro PDF417 (data split across several linked symbols) and MicroPDF417 aren't offered. The tool encodes what you type — it doesn't format AAMVA licence data for you, so test data must already follow the specification you are targeting.

File Size Limits

Up to 200 barcodes per batch. Very long inputs produce large symbols: choosing more columns makes the barcode wider and shorter, fewer columns makes it taller and narrower.

For printing, SVG or the PDF keeps edges perfectly sharp at any size; PNG is best for screens and documents where you know the display size.

Who Should Use This Tool?

• Students: A computer-science student generates PDF417 test symbols to check that a scanning app decodes them correctly.
• Freelancers & Designers: A designer creates PDF417 codes for event tickets and places the SVG versions in the print layout.
• Office Professionals: A logistics coordinator batch-generates PDF417 labels from a list of shipment references and prints the multi-page PDF.
• Developers: A developer produces known-good PDF417 images as fixtures for a document-verification feature.

Why This Tool Beats the Alternatives

• Uses a mature barcode engine, not a look-alike pattern.
• Vector SVG output for sharp printing.
• Batch generation and multi-page PDF included free.
• Nothing uploaded, so sensitive test data stays private.
• Clear error messages when data is too long.

Pro Tips

• Always scan-test a printed sample with the actual scanner or app before printing a large batch.
• Leave a white quiet zone around the barcode — don't let text or borders touch it.
• For small labels, try compact PDF417 or more columns to reduce height.

Enter your data above and generate a scannable PDF417 barcode.