Turn RTF documents into PDFs without uploading them
This RTF to PDF converter turns Rich Text Format files — the .rtf documents WordPad saves on Windows, TextEdit writes on a Mac, and countless legal, medical, accounting and database programs export — into PDFs you can email, print or file. You choose how: LibreOffice, the full open-source word processor running inside your browser, reproduces the page layout exactly; the basic converter needs no download and is ready instantly.
RTF looks simple, but real files carry page margins, tables, fonts, colours, headers and embedded pictures. LibreOffice reads all of that the way a desktop word processor does. Both routes run entirely on your device, so a discharge summary, contract or payslip exported as RTF never reaches a server.
How to use the RTF to PDF Converter
- Drop one or more
.rtffiles on the box above, or click it to choose them. - Under Converter, keep LibreOffice · best layout, or pick Basic · no download for simple text documents and slow connections.
- For LibreOffice, choose a PDF type (standard or PDF/A) and tick Tagged PDF if the PDF should work with screen readers.
- Press Convert to PDF. With LibreOffice, approve the one-time 79 MB download the first time.
- Check the page preview and download the PDF, or all PDFs as one ZIP.
RTF to PDF Converter features
Two converters
LibreOffice for faithful pages, or a light basic converter built on rtf.js that starts immediately and works in every modern browser, Safari included.
Exact page setup
Paper size, margins, columns, headers, footers and page breaks from the RTF are honoured by LibreOffice.
Tables and pictures
LibreOffice keeps tables with borders and embedded PNG, JPEG and Windows metafile pictures; the basic converter keeps simple tables and pictures.
Real text in the PDF
Both converters write selectable, searchable text, with fonts embedded.
PDF/A
Choose PDF/A-1b, 2b or 3b when the PDF must meet an archiving rule.
Batch
Convert many RTF exports at once and save them in a single ZIP file.
What is an RTF file?
Rich Text Format is a document format Microsoft introduced in 1987 so that formatted text could move between programs; the last specification, version 1.9.1, dates from 2008. An RTF file is plain text sprinkled with control words such as \b for bold and \par for a new paragraph, which is why almost every word processor and many business applications can write it, and why it’s still a favourite export format for reports and letters.
macOS TextEdit sometimes saves .rtfd instead — a folder that keeps the pictures beside the text. Use File → Export as PDF in TextEdit for those, or save as plain RTF first.
LibreOffice or the basic converter?
| LibreOffice | Basic converter | |
|---|---|---|
| Download | 79 MB once, then kept by the browser | About 4.5 MB of libraries |
| Layout | Same pages, line breaks and margins as a desktop word processor | Text flows onto A4/Letter pages with the document’s margins |
| Formatting | Everything RTF supports | Bold, italic, underline, colours, sizes, alignment, lists |
| Tables | Full tables with borders and merged cells | Simple grid tables |
| Headers, footers, footnotes | Kept | Left out |
| Scripts | Latin, Cyrillic, Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, Indian scripts; CJK on request | Latin, Greek and Cyrillic |
| Browsers | Chrome, Edge, Firefox (not Safari) | All modern browsers |
Good to know
- Need to keep editing instead? RTF to DOCX turns the file into a Word document with the same two converters.
- For plain notes with no formatting, Text to PDF is quicker still.
- Fonts that aren’t built into LibreOffice are replaced by similar ones; Arial, Times New Roman, Courier New, Calibri and Cambria have metric-compatible stand-ins, so line breaks match.
- LibreOffice reserves about 1.5 GB of memory while it runs. On an older phone, the basic converter is the safer choice.
RTF to PDF Converter FAQ
How do I convert RTF to PDF for free?
Drop the .rtf file above and press Convert to PDF. Use LibreOffice for an exact layout (a one-time 79 MB download) or the basic converter for an instant result. There is no sign-up or watermark.
Can I convert a WordPad document to PDF?
Yes. WordPad saves documents as .rtf by default, so drop the file here. Windows can also print to PDF with Microsoft Print to PDF, but this page keeps pictures and page setup without any printer settings.
Which converter should I choose?
LibreOffice gives the same pages as a word processor, with headers, footers and complex tables. The basic converter is instant and works in Safari, but simplifies the layout. Try basic first for simple letters, LibreOffice for anything formal.
Are my files uploaded?
No. Both converters run in your browser tab. LibreOffice and the basic converter’s libraries are downloaded from CDNs, but your RTF files stay on your device.
Does RTF to PDF work in Safari or on iPhone?
The basic converter does. LibreOffice needs a cross-origin-isolated page, which Safari and iPhone browsers don’t support yet, so the page selects the basic converter for you there.
Why are some characters missing with the basic converter?
The basic converter embeds Noto Sans, which covers Latin, Greek and Cyrillic. For Hindi, Tamil, Arabic, Chinese and other scripts, switch to LibreOffice, which shapes those scripts properly.