What is a .rtf file?
Rich Text Format · Document · Microsoft · 1987
RTF is a lightweight document format that keeps basic formatting like bold, italics and fonts while staying readable across almost every word processor. It is a handy middle ground between plain TXT and a full DOCX.
What is a .rtf file used for?
RTF stores text plus simple formatting using plain-text control codes, so it is more portable than a proprietary word file yet richer than a bare TXT.
Nearly every word processor on every platform opens RTF, which makes it a safe choice when you are not sure what software the recipient has.
It does not handle complex layouts, advanced tables or macros, which is actually part of why it is considered safer than DOCX.
How to open a .rtf file
The .rtf format opens in the following apps, grouped by operating system. If one app does not work, try another from the same list. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to open a .rtf file.
Windows
- WordPad
- Word
- LibreOffice
macOS
- TextEdit
- Word
- Pages
Linux
- LibreOffice
- AbiWord
Web
- Google Docs (import)
How to convert a .rtf file
You can convert a .rtf file to DOCX, PDF, TXT using a conversion tool or the export menu of an app that opens it.
.rtf file signature (magic bytes)
Programs recognise a .rtf file by the bytes at the start of the file, not by its name. These are the signatures for RTF. For a full breakdown, see the RTF file signature page.
| Hex signature | Offset | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 7B 5C 72 74 66 31 | 0 | '{\rtf1' |
See the full magic-numbers reference for every format.
Frequently asked questions
What is a .rtf file?
RTF is a lightweight document format that keeps basic formatting like bold, italics and fonts while staying readable across almost every word processor. It is a handy middle ground between plain TXT and a full DOCX.
Is RTF better than DOCX?
RTF is more portable and cannot hold macros, but DOCX supports far richer formatting. Use RTF for simple, universally readable documents.