Word to RTF Converter

RTF (Rich Text Format) is a universal document format that can be opened by virtually any word processor on any operating system — from Microsoft Word and Google Docs to LibreOffice, TextEdit on macOS, and WordPad on Windows. Converting Word (.docx) to RTF is valuable when you need maximum compatibility without requiring recipients to have Microsoft Office installed. RTF preserves essential formatting — fonts, bold/italic, colors, tables, and images — while stripping away Word-specific features like macros and advanced styles. SublimePDF handles the conversion in your browser, maintaining your document's visual structure.

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

Drop your Word files here

or click to browse — up to 50MB

How to Convert Word to RTF Online

Upload your Word document

Drag and drop your .doc or .docx file. Documents with tables, images, headers/footers, and text formatting are all handled correctly.

Review formatting options

Choose whether to preserve embedded images (which increase RTF file size) or convert to a text-only RTF. The converter maps Word styles to RTF equivalents for fonts, sizes, colors, bold, italic, and underline.

Download your RTF file

Your .rtf file is ready and can be opened in any word processor. Basic formatting is preserved — fonts, paragraph alignment, tables, and inline images transfer cleanly.

Word to RTF Converter Features

Preserves fonts, text formatting (bold, italic, underline, colors), and paragraph styles

Converts tables with cell alignment and basic borders

Embeds images within the RTF file for self-contained documents

Output compatible with every major word processor on every platform

Removes Word-specific features (macros, VBA) for cleaner, safer documents

Handles .doc (legacy) and .docx (modern) Word formats

100% free — no registration required

Files processed in your browser (never uploaded)

When to Convert Word to RTF

Share documents with recipients who don't have Microsoft Office by converting to universally readable RTF
Convert Word files to RTF for cross-platform compatibility with LibreOffice, TextEdit, and WordPad
Strip macros and active content from Word documents by converting to the simpler RTF format
Prepare Word documents for import into legacy systems or CMS platforms that accept RTF but not DOCX
Create RTF versions of templates for use in mail merge systems that require RTF input

About Word and RTF

What is Word?

Microsoft Word Document (.doc, .docx) — The most widely used word processing format, ideal for creating and editing text-based documents. Learn more about Word →

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 →

Privacy & Security

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

Word to RTF Conversion FAQ

What formatting is preserved when converting Word to RTF?

RTF preserves fonts, text sizes, bold, italic, underline, colors, paragraph alignment, tables, bullet lists, numbered lists, and embedded images. Advanced Word features like SmartArt, charts, and tracked changes are simplified or removed.

Will my Word document's images transfer to RTF?

Yes. Embedded images are included in the RTF file. Note that RTF embeds images as uncompressed data, so the RTF file may be larger than the original DOCX.

Can the recipient edit the RTF file?

Absolutely. RTF is a fully editable format. Recipients can open, modify, and re-save the file in any word processor — no special software required.

Are Word macros or VBA scripts transferred to RTF?

No. RTF does not support macros or active content. This is actually a security benefit — converting to RTF effectively sanitizes the document by removing potentially harmful scripts.

Is RTF better than PDF for sharing documents?

It depends on the goal. Use RTF when you want recipients to edit the document. Use PDF when you want to preserve exact visual layout and prevent editing. RTF prioritizes editability; PDF prioritizes fidelity.

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