RTF to PDF Converter

Transform your Rich Text Format documents into professional and universally compatible PDFs.

Drag & Drop RTF File Here

or

No file selected.
Conversion Options
RTF Preview

Upload RTF to see preview.

RTF to PDF Converter

RTF to PDF Converter online.

RTF to PDF Converter — How to Convert Rich Text Format Files to PDF

RTF to PDF Converter — How to Convert Rich Text Format Files to PDF

Need to turn an RTF (Rich Text Format) document into a professional-looking PDF? Whether you’re sharing a resume, archiving documentation, or preparing content for printing, converting RTF to PDF makes your file portable, consistent, and easy to distribute. This guide covers everything: why convert RTF to PDF, the best online and offline tools, step-by-step instructions, command-line options, quality tips, and troubleshooting.

What is RTF and why convert it to PDF?

RTF (Rich Text Format) is a long-standing cross-platform document format created by Microsoft in the 1980s. RTF supports basic formatting — fonts, bold/italic, lists, tables, and images — and is readable by most word processors (Microsoft Word, WordPad, LibreOffice, Apple Pages). Unlike DOCX, it’s simpler and highly compatible, but it’s not ideal for distribution when you want to preserve exact layout and appearance.

PDF (Portable Document Format) is the industry standard for distributing documents that must retain layout, fonts, and graphics across devices. Converting RTF to PDF gives you:

  • Consistent layout: PDF preserves the look regardless of the viewer’s software or platform.
  • Print readiness: PDFs often produce more reliable print results than RTFs.
  • Security features: PDFs can be password-protected or restricted for editing/copying.
  • Professional appearance: PDFs are preferred for resumes, contracts, reports, and submissions.

Common scenarios for RTF → PDF conversion

  • Sending a resume or cover letter to recruiters who expect a PDF.
  • Archiving company records where a stable, long-term format is required.
  • Creating printable handouts, brochures, or forms from RTF templates.
  • Sharing documents when recipients may not have a compatible word processor.
  • Locking a document layout to prevent accidental edits or formatting changes.

How to convert RTF to PDF — quick overview

There are three main approaches you can use to convert RTF to PDF:

  1. Use an online converter — quick and convenient for one-off files.
  2. Use desktop software — Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, and macOS Pages all export to PDF with good fidelity.
  3. Use command-line tools or scripts — ideal for automation and batch processing.

Method 1 — Online RTF to PDF converters

Online converters are the fastest option when you don’t want to install anything. Popular online tools let you upload an RTF and download a PDF within seconds.

Typical steps

  1. Open a trusted online converter (search for “RTF to PDF converter”).
  2. Upload your .rtf file (or drag-and-drop).
  3. Optionally set options such as page size or password protection.
  4. Click Convert → Download the PDF.

Pros & cons

  • Pros: Fast, no install, works on any platform.
  • Cons: Privacy concerns for sensitive files, file size limits on free tiers, dependent on internet connection.

Method 2 — Desktop software (recommended for privacy & fidelity)

Desktop apps provide more control and better privacy. Here are the most common and reliable options.

Microsoft Word (Windows & macOS)

Microsoft Word reads RTF files well and offers excellent PDF export options.

  1. Open Word and choose File → Open and select your RTF file.
  2. Review formatting; make any necessary adjustments.
  3. Go to File → Save As (or Export → Create PDF/XPS on Windows).
  4. Choose PDF as the output format, set options (optimize for print or online), and click Save.

LibreOffice / OpenOffice

Free, cross-platform alternatives that handle RTF and export directly to PDF.

  1. Open the RTF in LibreOffice Writer.
  2. Adjust layout as needed.
  3. Click File → Export as PDF and configure options (image compression, resolution, security) before exporting.

macOS Pages

macOS Pages can open RTF files and export to PDF:

  1. Open the RTF in Pages.
  2. Choose File → Export To → PDF.
  3. Select quality (best for print or smaller file for sharing) and export.

Other desktop apps

  • Google Docs: Upload RTF to Google Drive, open with Google Docs, then File → Download → PDF Document (.pdf).
  • AbiWord / WordPad: WordPad on Windows can save as PDF on newer Windows versions using “Print → Microsoft Print to PDF”.

Why desktop is often better

Local conversion preserves privacy, handles complex formatting reliably, and supports batch processing or custom export settings.

Method 3 — Command-line & automated conversion

Command-line tools are perfect when you have many files or need to integrate conversion into a workflow.

LibreOffice headless mode (Linux, macOS, Windows)

LibreOffice supports a headless (no GUI) conversion useful for servers and scripts.

libreoffice --headless --convert-to pdf filename.rtf

To convert all RTF files in a folder:

libreoffice --headless --convert-to pdf *.rtf

pandoc (Markdown-focused but supports RTF via intermediate formats)

Pandoc can convert a wide range of formats. RTF support may vary — often Pandoc converts from RTF to HTML or DOCX and then to PDF using a PDF engine (wkhtmltopdf, weasyprint, or LaTeX).

pandoc input.rtf -o output.pdf
# or more reliably via DOCX:
pandoc input.rtf -o temp.docx
pandoc temp.docx -o output.pdf

unoconv (uses Libre/OpenOffice backend)

unoconv -f pdf input.rtf
unoconv -f pdf *.rtf

PowerShell (Windows) — using Word COM automation

$word = New-Object -ComObject Word.Application
$doc = $word.Documents.Open("C:\path\to\input.rtf")
$doc.SaveAs([ref]"C:\path\to\output.pdf",[ref]17)
$doc.Close()
$word.Quit()

Note: This uses Microsoft Word installed on the machine and works for Windows servers with Office licensing.

Tips for best quality RTF → PDF conversion

  • Check fonts: Embed or use standard fonts. If a recipient doesn’t have a font, the PDF export embeds the font if allowed, or substitutes may occur.
  • Inspect images: Ensure inserted images are high-resolution enough for print — otherwise they may appear pixelated in the PDF.
  • Set page size and margins: Confirm A4 vs Letter and set consistent margins before exporting.
  • Use Print Preview: Verify pagination and line breaks, especially for long documents.
  • Compress images if needed: Many PDF export dialogs let you choose image compression and DPI. Choose settings based on your use case (print vs web).
  • Security: Add password protection or restrict editing if you want to lock the PDF.

Batch conversion & automation examples

If you manage many RTF files (e.g., HR forms, invoices), automate the conversion. A typical Linux bash workflow using LibreOffice headless:

#!/bin/bash
mkdir -p pdfs
for f in *.rtf; do
  libreoffice --headless --convert-to pdf "$f" --outdir pdfs
done

On Windows, a PowerShell batch using Word COM (requires Word):

$word = New-Object -ComObject Word.Application
$files = Get-ChildItem -Path "C:\rtf_files" -Filter *.rtf
foreach ($file in $files) {
  $doc = $word.Documents.Open($file.FullName)
  $out = "C:\pdfs\" + ($file.BaseName + ".pdf")
  $doc.SaveAs([ref]$out, [ref]17)
  $doc.Close()
}
$word.Quit()

Accessibility and tags

If you need the PDF to be accessible (screen readers, tagged PDF), use tools that support PDF tagging:

  • Microsoft Word: supports creating tagged PDFs (select “Options” → “ISO 19005-1 (PDF/A)” or “Create Tagged PDF”).
  • LibreOffice: some options for tagged output, but Word often gives better accessibility tagging.

Privacy & security considerations

  • Don't upload sensitive documents to public online converters — prefer local conversion.
  • Delete temporary files after conversion (especially images or intermediate files generated by the conversion process).
  • Use encryption to protect PDFs containing private data (banking info, medical records, contracts).

Troubleshooting common issues

1. Formatting changed or broken

Make sure the application reading the RTF supports all styles used. Open the RTF in Word or LibreOffice, fix styles, then export. Avoid proprietary features not supported in RTF.

2. Images missing or low quality

Ensure images are embedded, not linked. Replace low-res images with higher-resolution sources, and set export DPI appropriately.

3. Fonts substituted or missing

Use common system fonts (Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri) or embed fonts in the PDF export if the application supports embedding. Verify font licensing before embedding.

4. Large PDF file size

Adjust image compression, downsample images, and choose “optimize for web” if distribution size matters.

Tools summary & recommendations

  • Microsoft Word — Best fidelity and accessibility support; ideal if you already use Word.
  • LibreOffice Writer — Free, cross-platform, and scriptable via headless mode; great for automated pipelines.
  • Google Docs — Convenient for cloud-based workflows and collaboration; export to PDF easily.
  • Online converters — Convenient for occasional conversions; choose reputable services for privacy.
  • Pandoc / unoconv / libreoffice headless — Ideal for automation and batch processing.

FAQs — RTF to PDF

Q: Can I convert RTF to PDF for free?

A: Yes — LibreOffice, Google Docs, and many online tools provide free conversion. LibreOffice is a great free option for local use.

Q: Will my RTF document look the same after conversion?

A: In most cases, yes, but differences can occur if the RTF uses fonts or features not supported by the converter. Always review the PDF after export.

Q: Is it safe to use online converters?

A: Only for non-sensitive documents — pick reputable services and read their privacy policies. For confidential files, use local software.

Q: Can I convert multiple RTF files at once?

A: Yes — use LibreOffice headless, unoconv, or PowerShell scripts to batch-convert multiple files.

Q: Can I make my converted PDF editable later?

A: You can use PDF editors (Adobe Acrobat, PDFescape) to modify PDFs, but editing fidelity may be lower than working in the original RTF. For future edits, keep the original RTF or save a DOCX as the working copy.

Final thoughts

Converting RTF to PDF is a straightforward process with many reliable options. For best results, use Microsoft Word or LibreOffice for fidelity and accessibility, or automate batch conversions with LibreOffice headless or unoconv. Prefer local conversion for private content and double-check the exported PDF for layout, fonts, and image quality.

If you want, I can provide a ready-to-run script tailored to your operating system (Windows PowerShell, macOS Bash, or Linux shell) that batch-converts a folder of RTF files into optimized PDFs with consistent page size, embedded fonts, and optional password protection. Tell me your platform and any preferred options (page size, DPI, password) and I’ll generate it for you.