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Convert RTF to PDF Online

Need to turn a RTF file into PDF? RTF, or Rich Text Format, is a document format Microsoft developed as a portable way to exchange formatted text between different programs. Unlike DOCX it is plain-text under the hood, using readable control words such as backslash-b for bold rather than a ZIP of XML. This simplicity made it a long-standing interchange format that nearly every word processor on every platform can open, from Word and WordPad to LibreOffice and TextEdit. It supports basic styling, fonts, and images but lacks the advanced features of modern formats. PDF is the universal document format - It preserves layout, fonts and images exactly across every device. Turning a PDF page into an image gives you a thumbnail or a shareable picture you can drop into a slide, chat or webpage. Converting from RTF to PDF bridges the two: you keep the picture, but in a format that fits where you are taking it.

RTF PDF

Drop a RTF file or browse

Up to 16 MB

Create a free account to convert and save your files.

RTF vs PDF: format comparison

Why convert RTF to PDF?

Converting an RTF first page to an image gives a consistent visual snapshot, which is useful because RTF can render slightly differently across the many editors that support it.

RTFPDF
Typea word-processing documentDocument
CompressionDocumentMixed
TransparencyNoNo
AnimationNoNo

What to expect converting RTF to PDF

File size

File size is broadly comparable; the main gain is PDF's compatibility and fit for the job.

Quality

img.now keeps the full resolution when writing the PDF.

Best used when

Use PDF when you need sharing fixed-layout documents (rasterise a page to use it as an image).

Think twice when

Keep RTF when you still need sharing a document page as an image or thumbnail.

Converting RTF to PDF with img.now

About RTF and PDF

RTF

RTF, or Rich Text Format, is a document format Microsoft developed as a portable way to exchange formatted text between different programs. Unlike DOCX it is plain-text under the hood, using readable control words such as backslash-b for bold rather than a ZIP of XML. This simplicity made it a long-standing interchange format that nearly every word processor on every platform can open, from Word and WordPad to LibreOffice and TextEdit. It supports basic styling, fonts, and images but lacks the advanced features of modern formats.

  • Preserves the page layout and typography
  • Turns a document page into a shareable image
  • Native to any text editor

PDF

PDF is the universal document format - It preserves layout, fonts and images exactly across every device. Turning a PDF page into an image gives you a thumbnail or a shareable picture you can drop into a slide, chat or webpage.

  • Looks identical everywhere
  • One file, many pages
  • Universal viewer support

Convert RTF to PDF in three steps

1

Upload your RTF

Drop in a RTF file from your device, up to 16 MB. RTF files are read automatically.

2

We convert it to PDF

img.now re-encodes your image as PDF at full resolution on our servers - No quality lost to resizing.

3

Download the PDF

Grab the result instantly. It is also saved to your files so you can come back to it.

Do more with your PDF

Once it is converted, keep editing in the same workspace.

Need a different conversion? Browse all file converters.

Convert RTF to other formats

RTF to PDF - Questions

What is a RTF file?
RTF, or Rich Text Format, is a document format Microsoft developed as a portable way to exchange formatted text between different programs. Unlike DOCX it is plain-text under the hood, using readable control words such as backslash-b for bold rather than a ZIP of XML. This simplicity made it a long-standing interchange format that nearly every word processor on every platform can open, from Word and WordPad to LibreOffice and TextEdit. It supports basic styling, fonts, and images but lacks the advanced features of modern formats.
Why convert RTF to PDF instead of keeping RTF?
Converting an RTF first page to an image gives a consistent visual snapshot, which is useful because RTF can render slightly differently across the many editors that support it.
Will I lose quality converting RTF to PDF?
img.now keeps the full resolution. PDF is a compressed format, so we encode at high quality to keep it sharp.
Why use RTF instead of DOCX?
RTF is valued for maximum compatibility: because it is a simple, widely supported interchange format, almost any program can open it. It trades advanced features for that broad portability.
Is an RTF file just plain text?
It is stored as readable text containing formatting control codes, but it is not plain text in the everyday sense; those codes encode fonts, bold, and other styling that the converter renders visually.
Is converting RTF to PDF free?
You can try img.now on the free plan. Paid plans add higher limits, faster processing and longer file storage.
Will the quality drop when I convert RTF to PDF?
We keep the original resolution and use high-quality encoding. PDF is a compressed format, so we use a high quality setting to keep it sharp.
Do you keep my files?
Files are processed on our servers and saved to your account. Free files are removed after 24 hours; paid plans keep them longer.

Do more than convert

img.now also generates images from text, upscales, removes backgrounds and edits - All in one workspace, saved to your account.

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Convert RTF to PDF