What is a DOC file?
DOC stands for Word 97 to 2003 document. It was created by Microsoft and first released in 1997. DOC is the binary Word format used before 2007. Unlike DOCX it is not a ZIP of XML files, so its contents cannot be read without a program that understands the binary layout.
| Type | word-processing document |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless |
| In a browser | opens in Word, Google Docs, Pages and LibreOffice Writer |
| Common uses | older Word files, templates and documents from legacy systems |
| MIME type | application/msword |
How to open a DOC file
Whether a DOC file opens with a double click depends on the device. Here is what works on each, without buying software:
| Windows | Word or the free LibreOffice Writer opens DOC, ODT and RTF; WordPad opens RTF. Pages files need converting first. |
|---|---|
| Mac | Pages and TextEdit open DOC and RTF; LibreOffice opens ODT; Pages opens its own files. |
| iPhone and iPad | Pages and the Word app open DOC, RTF and Pages files; ODT needs an app such as Collabora Office. |
| Android | Google Docs and the Word app open DOC, ODT and RTF; Pages files need converting first. |
| Web browser | DOC opens in Word, Google Docs, Pages and LibreOffice Writer. |
Want the technical details? See what a .doc file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
DOC compared with other document formats
How DOC stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOC | Lossless | formatted text, images and tables in a binary file | 1997 | older Word files, templates and documents from legacy systems |
| DOCX | Lossless | formatted text, images, tables and styles in a ZIP of XML files | 2007 | letters, reports, CVs and most documents shared at work |
| ODT | Lossless | formatted text, images, tables and styles in a ZIP of XML files | 2005 | LibreOffice users and public-sector documents |
| RTF | Lossless | text with fonts, bold, italic and simple tables, written as readable control words | 1987 | documents exchanged between different word processors |
| Pages | Lossless | formatted text, images and layout in Apple's own package format | 2005 | documents written on Macs, iPhones and iPads |
How to use the DOC converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your DOC files on the box, or press Choose DOC files. Several files can go in at once.
- Adjust the settings if you need to; the defaults suit most people.
- Press Convert and save each file with its Download button. The file is converted on our server and deleted as soon as the result is sent back.
Tips for converting DOC files
Converting a DOC file never loses the words: what can change is layout and styling, where formats do not match feature for feature. A few habits make the result as close to the original as possible.
- Keep the original document; converting to PDF is for sharing and printing, not further editing.
- Embed fonts when you save in Word or Pages, so the exact typeface survives any conversion.
- Accept or reject tracked changes and delete comments before converting, so they do not end up in the PDF.
- Remove any password first; encrypted documents cannot be opened for conversion.
- Very large documents are usually large because of photos. Compress the pictures inside them to stay under the size limit.
Convert DOC files from the command line
This page uses LibreOffice. Installed on your computer, it converts from the command line without opening a window:
soffice --headless --convert-to docx input.docConverting on your own computer keeps the file entirely local, which is worth it for very large or very sensitive documents. For everything else, the converter on this page does it without installing anything.
DOC converter FAQ
What is a DOC file?
DOC stands for Word 97 to 2003 document, a word-processing document format created by Microsoft in 1997. DOC is the binary Word format used before 2007. Unlike DOCX it is not a ZIP of XML files, so its contents cannot be read without a program that understands the binary layout.
How do I open a DOC file?
DOC opens in Word, Google Docs, Pages and LibreOffice Writer. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common DOC conversion?
DOC to DOCX is the conversion people search for most. The DOC is opened by LibreOffice, the open-source office suite, on our conversion server and saved as a Word document (DOCX).
Does converting DOC files here upload them?
Yes. DOC conversions need LibreOffice, MuPDF and pandoc, open-source programs that cannot run in a browser, so they run on our conversion server. The file is uploaded, converted, and deleted together with the result as soon as the result has been sent back to you. Nothing is kept.
Is the DOC converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark. Conversions that use our server accept files up to 25 MB, with a fair-use limit per hour. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert DOC files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your DOC files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several DOC files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.