DOCX to RTF Converter - Universal Format for Legacy Systems

Convert Word DOCX to RTF for WordPad, legacy word processors, and cross-platform sharing. Works offline, no uploads, universal compatibility.

Note: First conversion initializes Pandoc WebAssembly (~55MB download). Subsequent conversions are instant and work offline.

Drop DOCX file here or click to browse

Convert Word documents to RTF for universal compatibility

File: ()

Standalone document (recommended)

RTF Compatibility Guide

DOCX Element	RTF Output	Compatibility
Heading styles	Large/medium bold text	All word processors
Bold/Italic/Underline	Equivalent formatting	Universal support
Font sizes and colors	Preserved formatting	All word processors
Bullet and numbered lists	Equivalent lists	All word processors
Simple tables	Basic table structure	Most word processors
Hyperlinks	Clickable links	Modern apps (not DOS)
Images	Embedded graphics	Most apps, some limitations
Page breaks	Page break markers	All word processors

Where RTF Works Best

Legacy Systems

Windows 95/98/XP/Vista
DOS word processors
Vintage Mac systems
Industrial equipment PCs

Universal Access

WordPad (pre-installed)
Government computers
Library public terminals
Kiosk systems

Cross-Platform

Windows/Mac/Linux
LibreOffice/OpenOffice
Google Docs import
Email attachments

RTF file downloaded successfully

Security: Only process files from sources you trust. All processing happens locally in your browser.

MediaWiki to Word Converter - Wiki Conte…

Word to Markdown Converter - Migrate Doc…

Word to LaTeX Converter - DOCX to TeX fo…

DOCX to ODT Converter - Word to OpenDocu…

AsciiDoc to Word Converter - Technical D…

View all Document converters →

Frequently Asked Questions

RTF (Rich Text Format) is a universal document format created by Microsoft in 1987. Unlike DOCX, RTF files open in virtually any word processor including WordPad, LibreOffice, Google Docs, Apple Pages, and legacy software from the 1990s. Perfect for maximum compatibility when sharing documents across different systems.

Yes! WordPad is specifically designed for RTF files and comes pre-installed on Windows. It provides basic text formatting without needing Microsoft Office. RTF is ideal for documents that need to work on computers without Office installed.

Virtually all of them: WordPerfect, Lotus Word Pro, AbiWord, OpenOffice, StarOffice, and even ancient DOS word processors. RTF was specifically designed as the lowest-common-denominator format for cross-platform document exchange between different word processing software.

RTF files are typically larger than DOCX because RTF is plain text-based while DOCX is compressed XML. However, RTF files are more universally compatible. Complex DOCX features like themes, advanced styles, and modern graphics may be simplified in RTF format.

Headers, bold, italic, underline, font sizes, colors, lists, tables, hyperlinks, and page breaks convert well. Complex features like SmartArt, charts, equations, and advanced table formatting may be simplified or rendered as images. Basic document structure and text formatting are reliably preserved.

Yes! RTF is widely accepted by email clients and antivirus software. Unlike macros-enabled DOCX files, RTF is considered safer because it has limited scripting capabilities. Many organizations prefer RTF for external document exchange with partners and clients.

Absolutely! That's one of RTF's key strengths. Windows 95/98/XP can open RTF files in WordPad. Mac System 7 and later support RTF. This makes RTF perfect for legacy systems in government, education, and industrial settings that haven't been updated.

Basic tables with rows, columns, and cell borders convert well to RTF. Complex features like merged cells, nested tables, or precise column widths may render differently. For documents with complex tables, test the output in your target application before distributing.

No, password-protected files must be unlocked before conversion. Remove the password in Microsoft Word first, save the document, then convert to RTF. This tool cannot bypass document protection or encryption.

RTF is excellent for archival. It's a stable, documented format that has remained unchanged for decades. Unlike proprietary formats that may become obsolete, RTF files from 1990 still open perfectly today. Libraries, government agencies, and legal firms use RTF for long-term document preservation.

Drop DOCX file here or click to browse

RTF Compatibility Guide

Where RTF Works Best

Legacy Systems

Universal Access

Cross-Platform

Related Tools