Convert DOC to DOCX
Free, fast and secure — convert DOC to DOCX right in your browser.
Convert DOC to DOCX for wider compatibility
Converting DOC to DOCX gives you a more widely supported file that opens cleanly across more devices, apps and platforms — handy when DOC will not play nicely everywhere.
How to convert DOC to DOCX
- 1 Drop your DOC file into the converter above.
- 2 It is converted to DOCX automatically — no settings to fiddle with.
- 3 Download your new DOCX file instantly.
DOC vs DOCX
| Feature | DOC | DOCX |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless | Lossless |
| MIME type | application/msword | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| Best for | Opening legacy files — usually converted to DOCX or PDF for ongoing use. | Writing and editing documents that will keep changing before they are finalised. |
About the formats
Legacy Word document
DOC is the older binary Word format from before 2007. It is still readable but largely superseded by DOCX, and is usually converted forward to DOCX or PDF.
Strengths
- Opens in older Word versions
- Familiar legacy format
- Editable text
Limitations
- Outdated binary format
- Larger and less robust than DOCX
- Compatibility quirks in modern apps
Best for: Opening legacy files — usually converted to DOCX or PDF for ongoing use.
Word document
DOCX is Microsoft Word’s modern format, built for editing. It stores rich, reflowable text with styles, comments and tracked changes, and is the default for word processing.
Strengths
- Fully editable, reflowable text
- Rich styles, comments and revisions
- Standard for office documents
Limitations
- Layout can shift between apps
- Not fixed like PDF
- Best viewed in Word-compatible software
Best for: Writing and editing documents that will keep changing before they are finalised.