How to Convert RTF to a Word Document: Easy & Free Methods

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Simple ways to convert rich text files into the DOCX format

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: March 3, 2026 Fact Checked

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Converting in Word

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Using Google Docs

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Using Online Converters

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Video

The Rich Text Format (RTF) file format is a document format that exists somewhere between plain text (TXT) and Microsoft Word (DOCX). Unlike text files, RTFs can contain images and special fonts, but they don't have nearly as many formatting options as a Word document. This wikiHow guide teaches you how to convert an RTF (Rich Text Format) file using Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and free online converters.

Converting Rich Text (RTF) to Word (DOCX)

If you have Microsoft Word, you can open the RTF in the desktop app for editing, go to File > Save as, then change the document format to Microsoft Word (*.docx).
You can also upload an RTF file to Google Docs, go to File > Download, and select the Microsoft Word format.
For a quick conversion, upload your RTF file to an RTF to DOCX converter.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Microsoft Word

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1
Open the RTF file in Word on your computer. Whether you're using a Windows PC or a Mac, you can open rich text files ending with the .rtf file extension in the desktop version of Word. To open the file, right-click or control-click it on your computer, select Open with…, then select Word or Microsoft Word.^{[1]
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- If Word is already open, you can also open the file by clicking the File menu, selecting Open, and navigating to the document.
On a Mac, you'll see it in the menu bar at the top of the screen. On Windows, it'll be in the menu bar at the top of Word.

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Click on Save As… or Save. You'll see one of these two options in the menu.^{[2]
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- If the file is synced to OneDrive over the internet, click Save as copy instead.
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Select the Word Document file type. On Windows, it'll be the drop-down menu at the top that currently says Rich Text Format (*.rtf). On a Mac, select Word Document (.docx) from the File Format menu.^{[3]
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Choose a saving location and click Save. If you want to select a different folder to save the converted document, do so before clicking Save. Once you click Save, the RTF will be converted to a Microsoft Word document.
- If a warning regarding the document format pops up, click on OK.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Google Docs

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If you have a Google account, you can use Google Docs to convert an RTF file to a Word document for free. To get started, log in to Google Docs, then click + Blank document to create a new document.
This opens the Google Docs file picker.
It's the last tab on the window.
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Upload the RTF file. You can drag the file to the "drag a file here" area, or click Browse to browse for and select it on your computer. Once selected, the file will open.
- If you're browsing for the file on a Windows PC but don't see any ending in .RTF, you may need to click the All Supported Types menu at the bottom-right corner of the File Explorer window and switch to All Files.
A list of file types will appear.
You will be prompted to save the file to your computer.
This converts the RTF to DOCX, Microsoft Word's primary document format, and saves it to your computer.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Online Converters

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Find an online RTF to Word converter. There are many free websites you can use to convert rich text to Microsoft Word's DOCX format, and you'll be able to find them with a quick Google search. However, you should avoid uploading anything personal or secure–instead, convert anything that needs to stay private using Word or Google Docs.
- Be sure to use anti-malware protection when browsing online converter websites and downloading converted documents.
- Here are a few sites to try:
  - onlineconverter.com/rtf-to-docx
  - convertio.co/rtf-doc
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Upload the file to the converter. The steps to use most converters are simple–you'll either drag the RTF file to the upload area, or click an Upload or Browse button to select it from your computer. Once you upload the file, it will be ready to convert.
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Download the converted file. To convert the RTF to DOCX, you'll usually need to click either Convert or Download, then follow the on-screen instructions to save your newly converted Word document to your PC or Mac.