Free online EML to RTF converter

Some document workflows require RTF, and email recipients may need a message body they can edit in a word processor. Converting an EML message makes its body easier to share as a document, but does not automatically carry over every email feature.

What the EML format is

EML is a file format for individual email messages. It stores message headers, the body, and MIME parts such as attachments; the body may be plain text or HTML. Email programs including Mozilla Thunderbird and Microsoft Outlook can create or open EML files, which are also commonly exported from mail clients for storage or transfer.

What the RTF format is

RTF (Rich Text Format) stores formatted document content, including text styles, fonts, and basic layout. Word processors such as Microsoft Word and LibreOffice Writer can open it, making it useful when a recipient needs an editable document without relying on a specific word-processing format.

How to convert EML to RTF

Online on 101convert.com

1. Open the EML-to-RTF converter page on 101convert.com and upload the EML file. The page shows the per-file size limit.
2. Choose the conversion option and start the conversion. Several files can be converted in one batch.
3. Download the resulting RTF file or files.

Offline with desktop software

Python and LibreOffice provide a free offline route for messages that contain a plain-text body. Python runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Save this script as extract_eml.py:

import sys
from pathlib import Path
from email import policy
from email.parser import BytesParser

source = Path(sys.argv[1])
message = BytesParser(policy=policy.default).parsebytes(source.read_bytes())
plain_parts = [
    part for part in message.walk()
    if part.get_content_type() == "text/plain"
    and part.get_content_disposition() != "attachment"
]
if not plain_parts:
    raise SystemExit("No plain-text message body found")
body = plain_parts[0].get_content()
source.with_suffix(".txt").write_text(body, encoding="utf-8")

Run python extract_eml.py message.eml to create message.txt. Open that file in LibreOffice Writer, then choose File → Save As and select Rich Text Format (.rtf) as the file type.

Microsoft Outlook classic and Word are a practical option on Windows when the message has HTML formatting. Open or import the EML message in Outlook, copy its rendered body, paste it into Word, and choose File → Save As, then select Rich Text Format (*.rtf). Copy headers separately if they are needed in the document.

Quality and limitations

RTF represents document content, not the full MIME email structure. Attachments are not embedded by these body-focused workflows; save them separately. The Python method uses only a plain-text MIME body and does not convert HTML-only messages or preserve rich formatting. Outlook-to-Word copying can retain visible formatting, but the result may differ from the original email layout.