Commonly opened with
  • Microsoft Word
  • TextEdit (macOS)
  • WordPad (Windows)
  • LibreOffice Writer
Supported platforms
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
Editable?
Yes, with common software
Viewable without special tools?
Usually, yes
Commonly converted to
  • .docx
  • .txt
  • .pdf
Inherent format risk
Generally low risk
Safety guidance (not a guarantee)

Plain documents are generally low-risk to view. If the format supports macros or embedded scripts, keep them disabled unless you specifically expect and trust them.

Check another filename

File extension lookup

No upload, no sign-up — everything is analyzed locally in your browser.

Frequently asked questions

What is a .rtf file?

A cross-platform text format supporting basic formatting (bold, fonts, colors), readable by virtually any word processor.

Can I edit a .rtf file?

Yes — .rtf files are commonly editable with software such as Microsoft Word.

Does having a .rtf extension mean the file is safe?

No single extension can guarantee that. Plain documents are generally low-risk to view. If the format supports macros or embedded scripts, keep them disabled unless you specifically expect and trust them. Always consider where the file came from, not just its name.

Privacy: The lookup above runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded, logged, or sent anywhere.

← Back to the file extension lookup tool