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Convert RTF to PDF - Professional Documents Instantly

Transform Rich Text Format files into universal PDF documents. Share anywhere with perfect formatting.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Why Convert RTF to PDF?

You have an RTF file that needs to be shared professionally, but Rich Text Format has limitations. Created by Microsoft in 1987, RTF was designed for cross-platform text exchange. Today, PDF is the standard for document sharing because it preserves formatting exactly as intended on any device.

Converting RTF to PDF ensures your document looks identical whether opened on Windows, Mac, Linux, or mobile devices. In our testing, RTF files occasionally display differently across word processors, but PDFs remain pixel-perfect everywhere.

How to Convert RTF to PDF

  1. Upload your RTF file - Drag and drop or click to select your Rich Text Format document
  2. Confirm PDF output - PDF is selected as your target format for maximum compatibility
  3. Download your PDF - Your document is converted with all formatting preserved

The entire process takes seconds. No account required, no software to install.

RTF vs PDF: Key Differences

Understanding when to use each format helps you make the right choice:

  • Editability - RTF files can be edited in any word processor; PDFs are designed for viewing and sharing
  • Formatting consistency - RTF may render differently across applications; PDF looks identical everywhere
  • File size - RTF files tend to be larger than equivalent PDFs due to text-based encoding
  • Security - PDFs support password protection and restricted permissions; RTF has no built-in security
  • Professional use - PDFs are the standard for contracts, reports, and official documents

If you need to edit the document later, consider keeping your original RTF. For sharing, archiving, or printing, PDF is the better choice.

When RTF to PDF Makes Sense

Sending Documents Professionally

Resumes, cover letters, and business proposals look more polished as PDFs. Recipients expect professional documents in PDF format, and the formatting stays exactly as you designed it.

Archiving Old Documents

RTF files from older systems may not open correctly in modern software. Converting to PDF preserves your documents for long-term storage with guaranteed accessibility.

Printing Requirements

Print shops and online printing services universally accept PDFs. RTF files may print differently than expected due to font substitution or layout variations.

Legal and Official Documents

Contracts, agreements, and official records should be in PDF format. The format's fixed layout prevents accidental changes and provides a clear record of the original document.

What About DOCX Instead?

If you need an editable document rather than a fixed format, RTF to DOCX conversion might be more appropriate. DOCX is the modern Microsoft Word format with better features than RTF. However, for sharing documents that shouldn't be modified, PDF remains the best choice.

You can also convert DOCX to PDF if you've already updated your RTF files to the newer format.

Formatting Preservation

Our converter maintains your document's appearance during conversion:

  • Font styles and sizes (bold, italic, underline)
  • Paragraph alignment and spacing
  • Tables and basic layouts
  • Page margins and breaks

Note that RTF has limited support for complex formatting compared to modern formats. If your RTF contains only basic text styling, the PDF conversion will be straightforward. Complex layouts created in RTF may have minor adjustments in the output.

Works on Any Device

Convert RTF to PDF directly in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android tablets

No software downloads, no plugins, no waiting. Your files are processed locally in your browser for privacy.

Pro Tip

If your RTF file contains special fonts, they may be substituted with standard fonts in the PDF. For consistent results, use common fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri in your original RTF document.

Common Mistake

Sending RTF files directly to recipients who expect professional documents. RTF files can look unprofessional and may open in unexpected programs. Always convert to PDF for business communications.

Best For

Converting legacy RTF documents from older systems, preparing professional documents for sharing, and archiving text documents in a permanent, universally readable format.

Not Recommended

Don't convert to PDF if you need recipients to edit the document. Keep RTF or convert to DOCX for collaborative editing. PDF is a final format, not a working document format.

Frequently Asked Questions

RTF (Rich Text Format) is a document format created by Microsoft in 1987. It supports basic text formatting like fonts, colors, and styles while maintaining compatibility across different word processors. Microsoft stopped updating RTF in 2008, but it's still widely readable.

Yes, basic formatting including fonts, styles, paragraphs, and tables transfers to PDF. Since RTF supports limited formatting compared to modern formats, what you see in your RTF should appear correctly in the PDF output.

PDFs are designed for viewing and sharing, not editing. If you need to make changes, edit your original RTF file first, then convert again. Alternatively, convert RTF to DOCX if you need an editable modern format.

PDF preserves exact formatting on every device and operating system. RTF files may display differently depending on which program opens them. PDFs also support security features like password protection that RTF lacks.

Yes, completely free with no limits on file size or number of conversions. No account registration required. Just upload your RTF file and download the PDF.

No installation needed. The converter runs entirely in your web browser on any device. Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices without downloading anything.

Microsoft WordPad (Windows default), Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, Google Docs, Apple TextEdit, and many other word processors can save documents as RTF. It was designed as a universal exchange format.

Yes, batch conversion is supported. Upload multiple RTF files and convert them all to PDF in one session. Each file is processed and available for individual download.

Your files are processed locally in your browser for privacy. Documents aren't stored on any server, and the conversion happens on your own device.

Yes, keep your RTF if you might need to edit the document later. PDF is a final format for sharing and archiving. Your original RTF remains the editable source file.

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