Convert RTF to DOC (Word 97-2003)
To convert RTF to DOC, upload your .rtf file and choose DOC as the target. LibreOffice saves the document in the genuine binary Word 97-2003 format. You only need this if the recipient uses an old version such as Word 2003 or a system that accepts .doc files alone; otherwise converting RTF to Word (DOCX) is the better choice.
- 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 RTF to DOC
Upload your RTF file
Drag your RTF file onto the upload area or browse for it (up to 100 MB).
Keep DOC as the target
DOC 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
- Character formatting and paragraph alignment
- Tables and images
- Headers, footers and page layout
Changed
- Saved in the binary Word 97-2003 format instead of text-based RTF
When to use it
Upload fields that only accept .doc
Some older institutional portals and application systems filter uploads by extension and reject RTF. Converting your RTF to the real DOC format lets you upload it without the file failing later.
Teams still working in older Word versions
If you share templates with a team that still uses Word 2003, converting RTF to DOC means the document opens in the Word format they expect, without compatibility packs or plugins.
Limitations to know
- DOC output from documents with shapes or drawings may not open cleanly in some non-Word apps, such as Apple Pages.
About the formats
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.
What is DOC?
DOC is the binary document format that was the default in Microsoft Word 97 through 2003. It stores text, formatting, tables and images in a single proprietary structure. DOCX replaced it in 2007, but DOC is still used because of older Office installations, some organisational systems and upload portals that only accept .doc. Current versions of Word, LibreOffice and Google Docs can open DOC files; DOCX is the better choice for new documents.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more compatible, RTF or DOC?
Across different programs RTF is more widely supported; it opens in almost every word processor, including WordPad and TextEdit. DOC is Microsoft Word's older native format. Convert RTF to DOC only when a person or system specifically asks for a .doc file.
Why would I choose DOC instead of DOCX?
In most cases you shouldn't: DOCX is the default format of current Word, Google Docs and LibreOffice and produces smaller files. DOC only makes sense for recipients on Word 2003 or older, or for legacy systems that accept the .doc extension alone.
Is the output a real .doc file or just a renamed RTF?
It is a real .doc file. LibreOffice re-saves the document with its “MS Word 97” filter in the Word 97-2003 binary format. A renamed RTF can fail format checks in some systems, while this output matches the old Word format.
Is converting RTF to DOC 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.