PDF-417 barcode is a set of black and white modules. Each code word of a PDF-417 symbol consists of 17 modules. One PDF-417 symbol contains several data code words and several Reed-Solomon error correction code words. Additionally, the PDF-417 barcode contains start and stop patterns, and left and right row-indicators to make the orientation and the dimensions of the symbol clear.
Data Limits for PDF-417 Barcodes
One PDF-417 symbol is capable of encoding more than 1100 bytes, 1800 ASCII characters, or 2700 digits, depending on the selected data compression mode.