How to Convert RTF to PDF: Preserve Formatting Easily

What Is RTF and Why Convert It?

RTF (Rich Text Format) is one of the oldest document formats still in regular use. Microsoft introduced it in 1987 as a cross-platform text format that could carry formatting information -- bold, italic, fonts, colors, tables, images -- while remaining readable by any word processor on any operating system. For decades, RTF was the go-to format for sharing formatted documents between applications that did not support each other's native formats.

In 2026, RTF still appears regularly: legal software generates RTF output, older database systems export reports in RTF, legacy templates remain in RTF format, and some applications use RTF as a clipboard format for formatted text copy-paste. Many people encounter RTF files when opening old archives, receiving exports from specialized software, or working with systems that predate the DOCX format.

Converting RTF to PDF is useful for several reasons:

• Universal readability. PDF opens on any device without needing a word processor, while RTF requires a compatible application
• Formatting lock. PDF preserves the exact appearance of the document, while RTF rendering can vary between applications
• Professional distribution. PDF is the standard for sending documents externally -- contracts, reports, resumes, and forms
• Archival. PDF (especially PDF/A) is the standard for long-term document preservation
• Security. PDF supports password protection, permissions, and digital signatures that RTF does not

This guide covers every method for converting RTF to PDF, from quick online tools to automated batch processing, with detailed attention to preserving formatting during the conversion.

RTF Format: Strengths and Limitations

Understanding what RTF can and cannot do helps you set expectations for the conversion output.

RTF's main advantage is compatibility -- virtually every word processor ever made can read and write RTF. Its main limitation is that it lacks modern document features like dynamic charts, smart art, complex styles, and embedded macros. For converting between more feature-rich document formats, see our guide on how to convert DOC to DOCX or the document converter hub.

Method 1: Convert RTF to PDF Online

The quickest path from RTF to PDF is through a browser-based converter. The PDF converter on ConvertIntoMP4 handles RTF input directly.

Step-by-Step

Step 1: Navigate to the PDF converter in your browser.

Step 2: Upload your RTF file by dragging it onto the upload area or clicking to browse.

Step 3: The converter processes the file and produces a PDF. The conversion typically takes a few seconds for standard documents.

Step 4: Download the converted PDF. Open it to verify that the formatting matches your expectations.

Online conversion is ideal for occasional conversions, for users who do not have a word processor installed, and for situations where you are working on a device that is not your own (a borrowed computer, a library workstation, a mobile device).

Method 2: Using Microsoft Word

Word handles RTF natively and provides high-quality PDF output:

1. Open the RTF file in Microsoft Word (File > Open, select the .rtf file)
2. Review the document for any formatting issues
3. Go to File > Save As (or File > Export > Create PDF/XPS Document)
4. Select PDF as the format
5. Click Options to configure:
   • Page range (all pages, current page, or specific pages)
   • Whether to include bookmarks, hyperlinks, and non-printing information
   • PDF/A compliance (for archival -- see our PDF vs PDF/A guide)
6. Click Save

Word's PDF output is generally excellent because Word uses its own print engine to render the PDF, producing output that matches what you see on screen. This makes Word one of the most reliable RTF-to-PDF converters available.

Method 3: Using LibreOffice

LibreOffice Writer opens RTF files natively and exports to PDF with detailed control:

1. Open the RTF file in LibreOffice Writer
2. Review the document and correct any formatting differences
3. Go to File > Export as PDF
4. In the PDF Options dialog, configure:
   • General: Range, image compression, PDF version, PDF/A compliance
   • Initial View: How the PDF opens (page layout, zoom level)
   • User Interface: Navigation pane, bookmarks, page thumbnails
   • Links: How hyperlinks are handled (internal and external)
   • Security: Password protection, printing permissions
5. Click Export

LibreOffice's PDF export dialog provides more options than Word's, including direct control over image compression, PDF version, and initial view settings. For users who need fine-grained control over the PDF output, LibreOffice is the stronger choice.

For documents that need to be secured after conversion, see our guide on how to password protect a PDF.

LibreOffice vs. Word: Rendering Differences

RTF files may render differently in LibreOffice and Word. The most common differences:

• Default fonts: LibreOffice may substitute Linux-standard fonts (Liberation family) for Windows-standard fonts (Arial, Times New Roman)
• Spacing: Paragraph spacing, line height, and character spacing can differ slightly
• Tables: Column width calculations may vary, causing text to wrap differently
• Images: Positioned images (floating, wrapped) may shift relative to text

If the RTF file was originally created in Word, converting through Word typically produces a more faithful PDF. If it was created in LibreOffice or OpenOffice, LibreOffice conversion is usually more accurate.

Method 4: Command-Line Conversion

For automated and batch conversion workflows:

LibreOffice Headless

# Convert a single RTF file to PDF
libreoffice --headless --convert-to pdf document.rtf

# Convert with output directory
libreoffice --headless --convert-to pdf --outdir /output/ document.rtf

# Batch convert all RTF files in a directory
libreoffice --headless --convert-to pdf /path/to/rtf-files/*.rtf

Pandoc

Pandoc can convert RTF to PDF (via LaTeX or other backends):

# RTF to PDF using Pandoc (requires LaTeX)
pandoc document.rtf -o document.pdf

# With custom margins
pandoc document.rtf -o document.pdf \
  -V geometry:margin=1in

Pandoc's RTF support is functional but less comprehensive than LibreOffice's. It works well for text-heavy documents but may struggle with complex formatting, tables, and embedded images.

Batch Converting RTF to PDF

Organizations with archives of RTF files often need to convert hundreds or thousands of files at once.

Bash Batch Script

#!/bin/bash
INPUT_DIR="/path/to/rtf-files"
OUTPUT_DIR="/path/to/pdf-output"

mkdir -p "$OUTPUT_DIR"

count=0
for rtf in "$INPUT_DIR"/*.rtf; do
    if [ -f "$rtf" ]; then
        echo "Converting: $(basename "$rtf")"
        libreoffice --headless --convert-to pdf --outdir "$OUTPUT_DIR" "$rtf"
        count=$((count + 1))
    fi
done

echo "Batch conversion complete: $count files processed."

Word VBA Macro (Windows)

Sub BatchRTFtoPDF()
    Dim rtfFile As String
    Dim doc As Document
    Dim inputPath As String
    Dim outputPath As String

    inputPath = "C:\RTF-Files\"
    outputPath = "C:\PDF-Output\"

    rtfFile = Dir(inputPath & "*.rtf")
    Do While rtfFile <> ""
        Set doc = Documents.Open(inputPath & rtfFile)
        doc.ExportAsFixedFormat _
            OutputFileName:=outputPath & Replace(rtfFile, ".rtf", ".pdf"), _
            ExportFormat:=wdExportFormatPDF
        doc.Close SaveChanges:=False
        rtfFile = Dir
    Loop
End Sub

For more on batch processing strategies, see our batch processing files guide.

Formatting Preservation Tips

Fonts

The most common issue in RTF-to-PDF conversion is font handling. If the RTF specifies a font that is not installed on the conversion system, the converter substitutes a different font, potentially changing line lengths, page breaks, and the overall appearance.

Solution: Before converting, verify that all fonts used in the RTF are installed on the system where conversion will occur. For batch conversion on servers, install all necessary fonts on the server. When converting online, the converter's font library determines availability.

Tables

RTF tables generally convert well to PDF, but complex tables with merged cells, nested tables, or precisely specified column widths may render with slightly different proportions. The PDF table will be functionally correct, but column widths and row heights might differ by a pixel or two.

Solution: After conversion, open the PDF and verify table layout. For documents where table formatting is critical (like invoices or forms), consider converting through the same application that created the RTF for the most faithful rendering.

Images

Embedded images in RTF files transfer to PDF without quality loss -- the image data is copied directly from the RTF into the PDF. However, image positioning (floating, wrapped, anchored) may shift slightly depending on the conversion tool's interpretation of the RTF positioning commands.

Solution: Use inline images (inserted at the cursor position within text) rather than floating images when possible. Inline images are positioned more predictably across conversion tools.

Hyperlinks

RTF supports hyperlinks, and most conversion tools preserve them as clickable links in the PDF. However, some older RTF files use non-standard hyperlink encoding that certain converters do not recognize. After conversion, verify that your hyperlinks work by clicking through them in the PDF.

RTF to PDF vs. Other Conversion Paths

If your end goal is a PDF, consider whether converting from RTF is the best approach or whether a different conversion path would produce better results.

RTF to DOCX to PDF

If the RTF file was originally created in Word, converting RTF to DOCX first (using Word or LibreOffice) and then exporting DOCX to PDF can sometimes produce better results. The intermediate DOCX step allows Word to apply its full formatting engine before generating the PDF.

For the RTF-to-DOCX step, use the document converter. For the DOCX-to-PDF step, see our guide on how to convert Word to PDF.

RTF to HTML to PDF

For RTF files that will be published on the web, converting to HTML first gives you the opportunity to review and clean up the content in a web-friendly format before converting to PDF. Pandoc handles RTF-to-HTML conversion well, and our guide on how to convert HTML to PDF covers the HTML-to-PDF step.

Direct RTF to PDF

For most scenarios, direct RTF-to-PDF conversion is the simplest and most efficient approach. The intermediate format steps are only worthwhile when you need to apply specific formatting corrections or when the direct conversion produces unsatisfactory results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is RTF still relevant in 2026?

RTF is a legacy format that is gradually declining in usage. However, it remains relevant in specific contexts: legal software, database exports, legacy systems, and cross-platform compatibility scenarios. While you would not choose RTF for new documents, you will likely encounter RTF files that need to be converted.

Does converting RTF to PDF lose quality?

No -- PDF preserves formatting at least as well as RTF, and often better. The conversion captures the document's visual appearance exactly as rendered by the conversion tool. The only quality concern is if font substitution changes the appearance, which is a rendering issue, not a conversion quality issue.

Can I convert RTF to PDF on my phone?

Yes. Online converters like the PDF converter work in mobile browsers. Upload the RTF file from your phone's file system or cloud storage, and download the PDF when conversion is complete. No app installation required.

What is the difference between RTF and TXT?

TXT (plain text) contains only raw text with no formatting -- no bold, no fonts, no colors, no images. RTF (Rich Text Format) contains formatted text with font information, colors, tables, images, and layout instructions. RTF is essentially TXT with formatting metadata added. For converting plain text to PDF, see the PDF converter.

Can I edit the PDF after converting from RTF?

PDF is designed for viewing and printing, not editing. For minor modifications (adding text, annotations, or signatures), use the PDF editor. For substantial editing, convert the PDF to DOCX using the document converter, make your changes in Word, and then export back to PDF.

Wrapping Up

RTF-to-PDF conversion is straightforward with the right tool. For one-off conversions, the online PDF converter handles the job in seconds. For desktop conversion with maximum formatting control, LibreOffice and Microsoft Word both produce high-quality PDF output. For batch processing, LibreOffice's headless mode automates the conversion of entire directories.

The key to successful conversion is understanding that RTF files may render differently in different applications. If formatting fidelity matters, open the RTF in a word processor, verify the layout, and then export to PDF. This review step takes 30 seconds and catches font substitution issues and layout differences before they end up in your final PDF.

RTF served the computing world well as a universal document exchange format for nearly four decades. Converting your RTF files to PDF preserves their content in a format that will remain readable, universally accessible, and professionally presentable for decades to come.