Can phones read PDF417?

Many scanning apps can, but the built-in camera apps on most phones read QR codes only. Use QR for customer-facing codes.

Is this valid for driver's licences?

No. ID cards follow the AAMVA data format; this generator encodes your text as typed and is not meant for identity documents.

PDF417 barcode generator

PDF417 is a stacked 2D barcode: rows of short linear codes. It carries several hundred characters and is read by most 2D imagers, which is why it appears on shipping documents, boarding passes and ID cards.

Size with quiet zones40.9 × 12.2 mm1.61 × 0.48 in

Fits a 52.5 × 29.7 mm label (A4, 40 per sheet) or 2 5/8 × 1 in (Letter, 30 per sheet).

Encoded: ORDER 77812 | SHIP 2026-11-20 | 4 CARTONS

40.9 × 12.2 mm

How to use it

Type or paste the text. Line breaks are kept.
Keep the module at 0.33 mm or more for laser and thermal printers.
Download and print at 100%; keep two modules of white around the code.

How PDF417 grows

Each row is 3 modules tall here and the code adds rows and columns as data grows. Error correction is chosen automatically for the amount of data, so a smudged or scratched code still reads.

Questions

Can phones read PDF417?: Many scanning apps can, but the built-in camera apps on most phones read QR codes only. Use QR for customer-facing codes.
Is this valid for driver's licences?: No. ID cards follow the AAMVA data format; this generator encodes your text as typed and is not meant for identity documents.