About the RTF to PDF
RTF (Rich Text Format) files come from WordPad, TextEdit, older versions of Word and many other programs. This converter reads an RTF file in your browser and turns it into a clean PDF. It keeps paragraphs, bold and italic text, large text as headings, simple tables, page breaks and accented characters, including Unicode text. Pick the page size and text size, add page numbers if you like and download the PDF. You don't need Word or any other software.
Updated October 2026
How to use the RTF to PDF
- 1Select an .rtf file.
- 2Choose the page size and text size.
- 3Add a title and page numbers if you want them.
- 4Press Convert to PDF.
- 5Download the PDF.
What the PDF looks like
The document is set in a clean, readable layout: a bold title if you add one, clear heading sizes, comfortable line spacing, indented lists, shaded code blocks and tables with grid lines. Choose A4 or Letter, a small, normal or large text size and optional page numbers at the bottom of each page. Links stay clickable in the PDF.
How RTF is read
RTF is plain text with formatting commands such as \b for bold and \par for a new paragraph. The converter follows these commands, skips the font and colour tables, document information and embedded objects, and keeps the text and its basic formatting.
When to print to PDF instead
If the RTF has a complex layout, many pictures or special fonts, opening it in Word, LibreOffice or TextEdit and choosing Print > Save as PDF reproduces it exactly. This tool is for quick, clean conversions without installing anything.
Typical uses
Old letters and notes saved from WordPad, TextEdit documents from a Mac, exports from writing apps and legal or medical software that produce RTF reports.
Tables in RTF files
RTF tables are rows of cells marked with special commands. The converter rebuilds them as simple grids with one line of borders, which keeps rows and columns readable. Merged cells and coloured shading aren't reproduced, so check complicated tables after converting.
Phone and computer
Open RTF email attachments on your phone and turn them into a PDF anyone can read. To turn a PDF back into rich text, use PDF to RTF, and plain text pages go through Text to PDF.
Features
- Bold and italic kept
- Large text becomes headings
- Simple tables
- Page breaks respected
- Unicode and Windows accented characters
- No software needed
Frequently asked questions
Which RTF features are kept?
Text, paragraphs, bold, italic, line breaks, tabs, page breaks, large font sizes as headings, and simple tables. Fonts, colours, pictures and exact spacing aren't reproduced.
Why aren't pictures included?
Pictures inside RTF use formats such as WMF that browsers can't draw. Insert them again in the PDF, or print to PDF from your word processor if they matter.
Can I convert a .doc file?
Not with this tool. For Word .docx files use Word to PDF; for old .doc files, save them as .docx or .rtf first.
Are accents and special characters kept?
Yes. Both Windows character codes and Unicode characters in the RTF are read correctly.
What about headers and footers?
They are left out; add page numbers with the option instead.
Which languages are supported?
Text uses the Figtree font, which covers English and the other Latin-alphabet languages, such as French, German, Spanish, Polish and Turkish. Greek, Cyrillic, Asian scripts and emoji aren't in the font yet; the tool lists any characters it had to replace with ?.
Is my document uploaded?
No. It is read and turned into a PDF in your browser, so it never leaves your device.
Will the PDF keep my page breaks?
Yes. Page breaks in the RTF start a new page in the PDF too.
Can I convert RTF on a Mac without TextEdit?
Yes. Any browser on Mac, Windows or a phone can convert the file here.