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RTF to PDF Converter

RTF (Rich Text Format) is a cross-platform document format developed by Microsoft that supports basic formatting — bold, italic, fonts, colors, tables, and images — without requiring proprietary software to open. Converting RTF to PDF locks that formatting into a universally viewable, tamper-resistant document. This is useful when you've created or received RTF files from WordPad, TextEdit, or legacy systems and need a professional PDF for distribution, archival, or printing. SublimePDF faithfully renders RTF formatting directives into PDF, preserving the visual appearance of your document.

Convert RTF to PDF instantly in your browser — no file uploads, no registration, and completely free.

Drop your RTF files here

or click to browse — up to 50MB

How to Convert RTF to PDF Online

1

Upload your RTF file

Drag and drop your .rtf file. SublimePDF parses RTF control codes to extract text formatting, embedded images, tables, and page layout settings.

2

Preview the formatted document

Review how fonts, colors, tables, and images will appear in the PDF. RTF formatting is mapped to PDF equivalents — font substitution occurs if the exact RTF font isn't available.

3

Download your PDF

The output PDF preserves your document's visual layout including paragraph spacing, indentation, bullet lists, and embedded images. The file is ready for printing or digital distribution.

RTF to PDF Converter Features

Parses RTF control codes for accurate font, color, and style rendering
Preserves bold, italic, underline, strikethrough, and superscript/subscript formatting
Converts RTF tables with borders, cell shading, and merged cells
Embeds images (JPEG, PNG, BMP, WMF) from the RTF at original resolution
Handles multiple character encodings and Unicode RTF extensions
Preserves page margins, headers, footers, and page breaks from the RTF
100% free — no registration required
Files processed in your browser (never uploaded)

When to Convert RTF to PDF

  • Convert WordPad documents to PDF for professional sharing and archival
  • Produce PDF versions of RTF files from legacy document management or legal systems
  • Archive macOS TextEdit RTF documents as PDF for long-term, format-stable storage
  • Convert RTF email exports or templates into PDF for compliance records
  • Generate PDFs from RTF output of automated report generators and mail merge systems

About RTF and PDF

What is RTF?

Rich Text Format (.rtf)A cross-platform document format that preserves basic formatting and is compatible with most word processors. Learn more about RTF

What is PDF?

Portable Document Format (.pdf)The universal standard for sharing documents with consistent formatting across all devices and platforms. Learn more about PDF

Privacy & Security

Your files never leave your device. All conversion happens locally in your browser using WebAssembly technology.

RTF to PDF Conversion FAQ

What RTF features are supported?
Font styles (bold, italic, underline, color, size), tables, embedded images, bullet and numbered lists, page breaks, headers/footers, and basic paragraph formatting are all supported.
Are RTF files from WordPad compatible?
Yes. WordPad produces standard RTF that converts cleanly. RTF files from any compliant editor (TextEdit, LibreOffice, legacy Word) are supported.
How are embedded images handled?
Images embedded in the RTF (JPEG, PNG, BMP, and Windows Metafile formats) are extracted and placed in the PDF at their original resolution and position.
Will page margins and layout be preserved?
Yes. Page size, margins, orientation, and explicit page breaks defined in the RTF are carried over to the PDF output.
Can RTF files contain macros or viruses?
RTF files can theoretically contain OLE objects, but SublimePDF processes only text formatting and images — no executable content is parsed or rendered, ensuring safe conversion.