RTF (Rich Text Format) is Microsoft's 1987 legacy rich-text format: plain ASCII with backslash escapes, understood by literally every word processor ever shipped — WordPad, Word, Pages, LibreOffice, even mainframe-era editors.
Typical use: Convert to RTF when the recipient's toolchain is ancient, locked-down or unknown — it is the lowest-common-denominator rich text that opens anywhere.
About the RTF format
RTF is Microsoft's 1987 rich-text format, and it refuses to die for a good reason: the file is plain ASCII with readable backslash commands, so any program ever written can open it. WordPad, Word, TextEdit, LibreOffice, ancient mainframe editors — RTF is the lowest common denominator of formatted text.
It carries bold, italics, fonts, colors, tables and images, but its layout fidelity is modest by design — think "formatted text", not "typeset page". That makes RTF the right target when the recipient's toolchain is unknown, ancient or locked down: it opens everywhere and keeps the formatting that matters.
Strengths
- ✓ Opens in literally every word processor
- ✓ Plain-text based — never corrupted by email or old systems
- ✓ Keeps bold/italic/tables/images without a full office suite
Limitations
- ✗ No templates, macros or document automation
- ✗ Layout fidelity far below DOCX/PDF
- ✗ Verbose encoding makes files larger than DOCX
- Layout
- Basic rich text
- Editability
- Universal, even in WordPad
- Structure
- ASCII + backslash commands
- Best for
- Maximum compatibility hand-offs
Convert RTF to…
13 direct directions plus 1 workflows, sorted A–Z; 🔥 marks popular targets.
Cross-engine workflows
Convert other files to RTF…
Frequently asked questions
What is a RTF file?
RTF (Rich Text Format) is Microsoft's 1987 legacy rich-text format: plain ASCII with backslash escapes, understood by literally every word processor ever shipped — WordPad, Word, Pages, LibreOffice, even mainframe-era editors.
How do I convert RTF files online?
Pick a target format from the "Convert RTF to…" list below, drop your file and hit convert. Everything runs in your browser — no install, no upload, no watermark, no limits.
Is it safe to convert RTF files here?
Yes. Every conversion is performed by your own device inside the browser — files never leave for a server, and the page keeps working even offline.
Which formats can RTF convert to?
This page lists all 14 directions across documents, images, audio, video, spreadsheets and archives — each one is its own free converter page.