What is a DOCX file?
DOCX is the default Word format since Office 2007 and a published standard as ECMA-376. Under the hood it is a ZIP archive of XML files, which is why it is far more recoverable than the old binary DOC and why other applications can read it reasonably well.
At a glance
- Full name
- Office Open XML Document
- Extensions
- .docx
- Type
- Document
- Introduced
- 2007
- Created by
- Microsoft; ECMA-376 / ISO 29500
- Compression
- Lossless
- MIME type
- application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
Strengths
- Editable, with tracked changes, comments and styles
- Open standard, so many applications can read and write it
- Content reflows to fit the screen or page
Limitations
- Layout can shift between applications and platforms
- Not suitable as a final, fixed-layout deliverable
When to use DOCX
A document is still being written, reviewed or collaborated on.
Sending a final deliverable where layout must be guaranteed. Export to PDF.
Convert DOCX files
Every tool below runs in your browser unless it is labelled otherwise, so the file stays on your device.
Word to PDF
Converts Microsoft Word documents to PDF while preserving the original fonts, page layout, images, and formatting exactly as designed.
PDF to Word
Converts PDF files to Word, letting you choose between an exact-layout copy or fully editable, reflowable text output document.
Word ↔ Plain Text
Extracts plain text from a DOCX file, or turns a plain TXT file into a properly formatted Word document, in either direction.
Word ↔ HTML
Converts DOCX documents into clean HTML markup, or turns existing HTML back into an editable Word file for further editing.
Word & Character Counter
Counts words, characters, sentences, and paragraphs in any block of pasted text, plus an estimated reading time for the piece.
DOCX conversions
Each page states what the target format cannot carry before you run it.
DOCX compared
Related document formats
Last updated 2026-08-03