Format comparison
DOCX vs RTF
How do DOCX and RTFcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
.docx
Full guide →Office Open XML Document
DOCX is the default format for Microsoft Word documents. It's an XML-based format that replaced the older .doc format, offering better compression, easier recovery, and broader compatibility.
.rtf
Full guide →Rich Text Format
RTF is a cross-platform document format that supports basic formatting like bold, italic, fonts, and colors. It's a universal middle ground between plain text and full document formats.
| Specification | DOCX | RTF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Office Open XML Document | Rich Text Format |
| Extension | .docx | .rtf |
| MIME type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document | application/rtf |
| Category | Document | Document |
| Developer | Microsoft | Microsoft |
| Year introduced | 2007 | 1987 |
DOCX advantages
- Standard format for word processing
- Excellent formatting capabilities
- Smaller files than legacy .doc format
- Compatible with Google Docs, LibreOffice, and more
DOCX limitations
- Formatting may vary between applications
- Complex internal XML structure
- Requires office software to edit properly
- Version differences can cause compatibility issues
RTF advantages
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Basic formatting support
- No macros — safer than DOC/DOCX
- Human-readable markup
RTF limitations
- Limited advanced formatting
- Larger than plain text
- No modern features like tables or charts
- Inconsistent rendering across editors
Which should you use?
DOCX and RTF serve different purposes. DOCX is ideal for business reports and memos, while RTF excels at cross-platform document sharing.
Best uses for DOCX
Business reports and memos
Academic papers and essays
Resumes and cover letters
Collaborative document editing
Best uses for RTF
Cross-platform document sharing
Simple formatted documents
Email-safe document attachments
Clipboard data exchange
Convert between DOCX and RTF
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.