PDF to RTF Converter
To convert a PDF to RTF, upload the PDF and select RTF as the output format. Our server extracts the text, rebuilds paragraphs, headings and lists, and saves the result as Rich Text Format. RTF opens in LibreOffice, TextEdit and Word, and in WordPad on older Windows versions, and because it cannot carry macros it is a simple, low-risk format to edit and share.
- Free, no sign-up
- Files deleted within 30 minutes
- Up to 100 MB
Files are permanently deleted from our servers within 30 minutes.
How to convert PDF to RTF
Upload your PDF file
Drag your PDF file onto the upload area or browse for it (up to 100 MB).
Keep RTF as the target
RTF is already selected in the menu; you can pick another format if you need one.
Convert and download
Press “Convert” and the download of the converted file starts automatically.
What is preserved?
Kept
- Paragraphs and body text
- Headings, font sizes and text colours
- Bulleted and numbered lists
Changed
- Page layout becomes a single flowing column
- Fonts missing on our server are substituted
Not carried over
- Table structure: cells become paragraphs
- Full-page background images
When to use it
Editing on a computer without Microsoft Office
Free LibreOffice, TextEdit on macOS and WordPad on older Windows versions can all open and save RTF files. If you need to correct the text of a PDF on a machine with no Office licence, RTF is the most accessible editable format.
Moving text into older or specialised software
Almost every word processor, and many legacy or niche programs, can import RTF. It works well as a neutral hand-off format when you need to bring PDF content into a tool that does not read DOCX.
Limitations to know
- No OCR for scanned PDFs.
- Encrypted PDFs are rejected.
- Maximum file size is 100 MB.
About the formats
What is PDF?
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a fixed-layout document format created by Adobe and standardised as ISO 32000. Every piece of text, image and line is stored with its position on the page, so a PDF looks the same on every device and prints reliably. The trade-off is editing: a PDF stores positions on a page, not paragraphs and tables. Scanned PDFs contain only page images and need OCR before any text can be extracted.
What is RTF?
RTF (Rich Text Format) is a document format published by Microsoft in 1987 that stores formatted text as plain text with control codes. It can carry bold and italic text, fonts, alignment, lists, tables and images. Its main strength is compatibility: RTF opens in WordPad on Windows, TextEdit on macOS, LibreOffice and Word. It is less capable than DOCX for complex layouts, and its appearance can vary between the programs that open it.
Frequently asked questions
Which programs can open the RTF file?
RTF opens in Microsoft Word on Windows (and WordPad on older versions), TextEdit and Pages on macOS, and LibreOffice or OpenOffice on any system. It is a long-established, text-based standard, so on most computers you will not need to install anything extra to read or edit it.
What is the difference between RTF and DOCX?
DOCX is a compressed package that can store every modern Word feature. RTF is an older, text-based format with fewer features; it cannot contain macros and opens almost anywhere. If you plan heavy editing in Word, converting the PDF to Word (DOCX) is usually the better option.
Do tables survive the PDF to RTF conversion?
No. A PDF only records where each piece of text sits on the page, not which cells belong to which table. The converter therefore writes cell contents into the RTF as paragraphs in reading order, and any table you need must be rebuilt in your word processor.
Is converting PDF to RTF free?
Yes, completely free. There is no account, subscription or watermark — just upload your file and convert it.
Is my file safe and when is it deleted?
Your file is transferred over HTTPS and stored on our server under a random code. The upload and the output are permanently deleted within 30 minutes, and the download link only works for whoever holds your unique code.