Convert TXT to RTF
To convert plain text to RTF, upload your .txt file, choose RTF and convert. Your text is saved as Rich Text Format, which can carry fonts, bold text and paragraph settings. RTF opens in WordPad on Windows, TextEdit on macOS, LibreOffice and Word without extra software, so you can start formatting the text in whichever editor you have available.
- 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 TXT to RTF
Upload your TXT file
Drag your TXT 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
- All text, in its original line order
- Leading indentation
- Accented and non-Latin characters
Changed
- Every line becomes a separate RTF paragraph
- A default font and size are applied
When to use it
Formatting text without Microsoft Office
On a computer without a Word licence, convert the text to RTF and open it in WordPad or TextEdit to add bold text, colours or a different font, then save it in a format most editors understand.
Importing text into other applications
Some desktop programs, email clients and legacy business tools import RTF rather than plain text. Converting first keeps the paragraph structure intact when the content moves into those applications.
Limitations to know
- Headings and lists are not created; the text arrives as plain paragraphs.
- URLs are not converted into clickable links.
About the formats
What is TXT?
A TXT file contains characters only, with no formatting, images or page layout information. It opens in every program from Notepad to code editors and is the smallest and most portable kind of document. Whether accented and non-Latin characters display correctly depends on the character encoding; UTF-8, today's standard, handles virtually every language. Plain text is ideal for searching, archiving and moving content between systems.
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
Can I open the RTF file on a Mac?
Yes. TextEdit, which ships with macOS, opens and edits RTF files directly, and Pages, LibreOffice and Word for Mac support RTF as well. Download the converted file and double-click it; no extra software is required to view or edit the text.
Should I choose RTF or Word (DOCX)?
RTF is the safer choice when you do not know which program the recipient uses, or when the file will be opened in simple editors such as WordPad or TextEdit. If you plan to keep working on the document with images, tables and advanced formatting, DOCX offers more features.
Why is the RTF file larger than the TXT file?
RTF stores control codes alongside your text, such as a font table and paragraph and character settings, and it writes non-ASCII characters as escape codes. The same content therefore takes more space in RTF than in plain text. This is normal and does not affect how the text looks.
Is converting TXT 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.