RTF (Rich Text Format) is one of the most enduring document formats. Microsoft introduced it in the late 1980s, and practically every text editor still understands it: WordPad, Microsoft Word, LibreOffice Writer, TextEdit on Mac. Many accounting, banking and government systems still export statements and reports as RTF, and people save documents in it when they need a file that "opens everywhere."
But opening everywhere doesn't mean looking the same everywhere. Editors render fonts, spacing and tables differently, and many submission portals accept only PDF. The quickest fix is the online RTF to PDF converter: upload a file, the service processes it with LibreOffice and returns a PDF with the formatting preserved.
Quick answer: how to convert RTF to PDF online
- Open the RTF to PDF page.
- Drag up to 20 RTF files into the upload area.
- Click Convert to PDF.
- Download the PDFs — one per document.
What RTF is and how it differs from DOCX and PDF
RTF stores text plus formatting commands — font, size, bold, italic, alignment, tables and embedded images. Its strength is compatibility; its weaknesses are limited formatting compared to DOCX and bloated files when images are included. DOCX is Word's modern format with styles, footnotes, tables of contents and track changes. PDF is for reading and printing: it locks the look of every page. Simply put, RTF and DOCX are for editing, PDF is for sharing, printing and archiving.
Why convert RTF to PDF
- Consistent look. Fonts, spacing and tables are fixed and won't shift on a phone or in another editor.
- Portal requirements. Government, university, employer and tender sites usually accept PDF, not RTF.
- Protection from edits. RTF is easy to change in any editor; PDF reads as a final document.
- Smaller files with images. RTF stores images inefficiently; PDF is usually much more compact.
- Archiving. A PDF will look the same years from now.
Where RTF files come from
Exports from accounting and banking software
Many accounting, HR and banking systems save printable forms as RTF: income statements, account statements, orders and payroll sheets. They usually come in batches and need to be sent elsewhere or attached to an online application. Export everything into one folder, upload the batch (up to 20 files), download the PDFs and merge them into one file if needed. Spot-check a couple of documents to make sure tables and details look right.
WordPad and legacy documents
WordPad saved files as RTF by default for years, so old computers and company archives are full of them. With WordPad removed from recent Windows 11 builds, these files sometimes have nothing to open them. Converting to PDF online gives you a readable, archivable copy without installing an office suite.
Templates and forms
Application forms and contract templates are often shared as RTF because any editor can open them. Fill the form in, save it and convert to PDF so fields and tables stay put on the recipient's side.
How to convert RTF to PDF online, step by step
- Open the converter. Go to RTF to PDF. No sign-up; works on desktop and mobile.
- Upload documents. Drag RTF files into the upload area — up to 20 files, 100 MB total. Handy when you've exported a batch of statements.
- Start the conversion. Click Convert to PDF. LibreOffice processes the files on our server in a background queue.
- Download the results. Each RTF gets its own PDF link.
- Check the PDF. Make sure tables are intact and fonts look right.
What's preserved: fonts (if common), bold, italic and underline, text sizes, alignment and indents, tables with borders, embedded images, headers, footers and page breaks. The document is rendered as LibreOffice sees it — usually identical to Word, though complex layouts may differ slightly.
How to prepare your RTF file
Use common fonts
RTF doesn't embed fonts, it only names them. A rare font will be replaced with a similar one, and text may shift. Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri and Verdana are safe choices.
Check your tables
If a table is wider than the page, its right edge may fall outside the margin. Make sure tables fit within the page and column widths are set explicitly — in Word, use AutoFit to Window.
Set the page layout
The converter uses the page size, margins and orientation saved in the RTF. Configure them in your editor and save before uploading.
Compress heavy images
Large images bloat RTF files. Compress or reinsert them at a lower resolution to speed up upload and shrink the PDF.
Clear editing traces
Accept all changes and delete comments so only the final text ends up in the PDF.
Other ways to convert RTF to PDF
Microsoft Word
Open the RTF and choose File → Save As → PDF. Pros: most accurate rendering. Cons: paid software, one file at a time.
WordPad and Microsoft Print to PDF
Choose File → Print and the Microsoft Print to PDF printer. Pros: built into Windows. Cons: WordPad doesn't support every RTF feature, and it has been removed from recent Windows 11 builds.
LibreOffice Writer
File → Export as PDF. Pros: free, offline. Cons: installation needed. Our service uses the same engine.
TextEdit on Mac
Open the RTF and choose File → Export as PDF. Pros: built in. Cons: complex tables and images may not render correctly.
Google Docs
Upload to Drive, open in Docs, then File → Download → PDF. Pros: free. Cons: account required, formatting sometimes simplified.
Comparison
| Method | Install | Batch | Formatting accuracy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| my-pdf.ru online converter | No | Up to 20 | High (LibreOffice) | Free |
| Microsoft Word | Yes | No | Highest | Paid |
| WordPad + Print to PDF | Built in (not all versions) | No | Medium | Free |
| LibreOffice Writer | Yes | No | High | Free |
| TextEdit (Mac) | Built into macOS | No | Medium | Free |
| Google Docs | No, account needed | No | Medium | Free |
When you need to convert a batch of documents or don't have Word, the online RTF to PDF converter is the easiest option.
Common problems and fixes
The font looks different
A missing font was substituted. Switch to a common font and convert again.
A table runs off the page
Narrow the columns or use AutoFit to Window, save and re-upload. For very wide tables, use landscape orientation.
Extra blank pages
Remove stray page breaks and empty paragraphs at the end. Already converted? Delete blank pages with Organize PDF.
Cyrillic or other non-Latin text is garbled
Old RTF files sometimes declare the wrong encoding. Open the document in Word or LibreOffice, confirm it reads correctly, save it as DOCX and use Word to PDF.
The PDF is too large
Compress images in the editor or run the PDF through Compress PDF.
You need several documents in one file
Combine the PDFs with Merge PDF.
You need to edit the document again
Edit the original RTF. If you only have the PDF, try PDF to RTF or PDF to Word, keeping in mind reverse conversion isn't always exact.
Related formats
For Word files use Word to PDF, for LibreOffice documents use ODT to PDF, and for unformatted text use TXT to PDF.
Security and privacy
- No registration and no contact details collected.
- Files are processed only for conversion and never published.
- Source files and PDFs are automatically deleted within 48 hours.
- For sensitive documents, add a password with Protect PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Is RTF to PDF conversion free?
Yes — no sign-up, no watermarks. Up to 20 files and 100 MB per upload.
Is formatting preserved?
Yes: fonts, styles, alignment, tables, images, headers and footers are carried over as LibreOffice renders them.
Can I change page size or margins during conversion?
No — the page setup from the document is used. Adjust it in your editor first.
How do I open RTF without Word?
LibreOffice Writer, TextEdit, Google Docs and many other editors open RTF. If you just need a PDF, no editor is required at all.
Can I convert on my phone?
Yes. Open the converter in your mobile browser, pick the file and tap Convert to PDF.
Is text inside images recognized?
No. Text stays text and images stay images; no OCR is performed.
How long are files stored?
No more than 48 hours, then they're deleted automatically.
Conclusion
RTF is great for exchanging documents between apps; PDF is better for sending, printing and archiving. Use common fonts, check table widths and page setup, then upload your files to the RTF to PDF converter — up to 20 at once, free and without sign-up.