PDF417

PDF417 is a type of barcode, precisely, a two-dimensional linear barcode. You can most commonly find it on USA driver’s licenses or other identity cards, boarding passes, and packages. 

  • Identification documents: You’ll likely find a PDF417 barcode on a driver’s license or ID card in the USA, Canada, and other countries. The barcode contains lots of personal information and all the information that’s printed on the front of the card.
  • Transportation: Airlines use PDF417 barcodes on boarding passes for quick scanning and verification.
  • Inventory management: Warehouses, post offices, and delivery services often use PDF417 barcodes to track inventory and packages, as they can hold much data about a particular item and track delivery.

What PDF417 abbreviation means:

  • PDF: In this case, PDF stands for Portable Data File
  • 417: This is the way the data is encoded within the barcode. Each pattern consists of 4 bars and spaces in a 17-unit long pattern.

Microblink has the best-in-class product for scanning and parsing data from PDF417 barcodes on various identity documents. Learn more about BlinkID solution.

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Press Release
Microblink Only Vendor to Meet All Performance Thresholds in U.S. Department of Homeland Security Identity Verification Evaluation
March 2, 2026

Among all participating vendors, Microblink was the only provider to meet RIVR “high performing” system benchmarks across every measured accuracy metric.

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