How to Convert RTF to PDF

RTF — Rich Text Format — is the old cross-program compromise: a document format almost every word processor can open, which is why it still turns up in exports, legal templates, and files passed between different editors. But "almost every word processor can open it" isn't the same as "looks the same everywhere," and RTF isn't ideal for sending or printing. Converting to PDF gives you one fixed file that opens identically for everyone.

This guide covers converting an RTF document to PDF and the options that control the output.

Before you start

• Fonts matter. RTF references fonts by name, so the result depends on those fonts being available; otherwise a close substitute is used, which can shift spacing. Standard fonts convert most predictably.
• Decide what to include. Comments and heading bookmarks are optional in the output (below) — worth deciding before you convert.

The steps

1. Open Blackpdf's RTF to PDF tool and drop your .rtf file in.
2. Set the Conversion Options:
   • Quality — High, Medium, or Compressed. High for crispest images and print; Compressed for the smallest file; Medium as a balanced default.
   • Include comments — on only if you want any comments to appear in the PDF. Leave off for a clean shared copy.
   • Bookmarks from headings — builds a clickable PDF outline from your heading styles; useful for longer documents.
   • Page range — All pages, or a Custom range for part of the document.
3. Click Convert to PDF.
4. Download the result.

Common questions

Will my formatting carry over?

Yes — RTF's bold, italic, lists, tables, and images render into the PDF as laid out. Fonts are the one variable: an unavailable font is substituted, which can slightly shift spacing.

What's the difference between RTF, ODT, and DOCX conversion?

They're three flavours of the same job — a text document becoming a fixed PDF. RTF is the oldest and most universal; ODT is the LibreOffice/ OpenDocument format (ODT to PDF); DOCX is Microsoft Word (Word to PDF). The conversion options are similar across them.

How do I keep comments out of the finished PDF?

Leave Include comments off — that keeps editorial notes in your working file, not the shared version.

Which Quality setting should I use?

High for image-heavy or print-bound documents, Compressed when a small file matters most, Medium for a balance.

Can I convert just part of the document?

Yes — set Page range to Custom. Or convert it all and extract the pages you need after.

Wrap-up

The flow is short:

1. Drop your .rtf into RTF to PDF.
2. Set Quality, decide on comments and heading bookmarks, pick the page range.
3. Click Convert to PDF and download.

RTF is universal to open but inconsistent to share — PDF makes it fixed. For the related formats, see ODT to PDF and Word to PDF.