Open RTF files online
RTF (Rich Text Format) is a portable formatted-text format. The viewer preserves common paragraph, font-size, bold, italic, underline and alignment controls.
Drop a RTF file to open it
or click to choose — everything stays on your device
Choose file🔒 100% private — files never leave your browser
Or turn RTF into an image — snapshot the preview, add arrows or notes, and download a PNG.
What is a RTF file?
RTF (Rich Text Format) is a portable formatted-text format. The viewer preserves common paragraph, font-size, bold, italic, underline and alignment controls. The .RTF extension identifies a Rich Text Format file, which is served with the application/rtf media type. You can open it here instantly — drop the file into the box above and it renders in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Besides this free online viewer, you can open Rich Text (RTF) files in desktop apps such as WordPad, Microsoft Word, TextEdit — but here all you need is a web browser.
Quick facts
| Format | Rich Text (RTF) — Rich Text Format |
|---|---|
| File extensions | .rtf |
| MIME type | application/rtf |
| Developer | Microsoft (1987) |
| Category | Office documents |
| Also opens in | WordPad, Microsoft Word, TextEdit |
How to open a RTF file online
- Click Choose file above, or drag your RTF file onto the box.
- The right viewer loads automatically and renders your file.
- Read, scroll or page through it. To open a different file, choose Open another file.
100% private — files never leave your browser.
Libraries used to render RTF in the browser
This viewer is built entirely with open-source JavaScript that runs in your browser:
Frequently asked questions
What is a .RTF file?
A .RTF file is a Rich Text Format, identified by the application/rtf media type. You can open and read it instantly in the viewer above without installing anything.
What programs open RTF files?
On the desktop, RTF files typically open in WordPad, Microsoft Word, TextEdit. Online, this page opens them in any modern browser — nothing to download.
How do I convert RTF to an image?
Use Snapshot to capture the RTF preview, optionally add arrows, text or highlights, then download it as a PNG image.
Is it safe to open my RTF file here?
Yes. The file is read and rendered entirely by JavaScript inside your own browser. It is never uploaded to a server, so nothing leaves your device.
Do I need to install anything to view a RTF file?
No. There is nothing to install and no account to create. Open the page, drop your file, and it displays instantly.
Does it work on my phone or iPad?
Yes. The viewer is fully responsive and works in modern mobile and tablet browsers such as Safari and Chrome.
Is there a file size limit?
There is no hard limit, but very large files depend on your device’s memory. Big files are processed in the background so the page stays responsive.