Which way do you need?
.doc. You get a modern .docx: smaller, safer, and it opens
without Word's "Compatibility Mode". Best for old files you want to keep using.
.docx. You get a Word 97-2003 .doc, for old business
software, upload forms that only accept .doc, or someone on Word 2003.
How to convert DOC to DOCX (or back)
Drop your Word file in the box.
Or click to choose it. .doc and .docx files up to 25 MB.
Click Convert. SwapDoc spots which format you have and converts it to the other one.
Open and check. The new file downloads with the same name and the new extension. Scroll through it before you send it on.
What we tested, and what came out
Tested on 7 November 2026 on the live converter.
We converted a 3-page .docx to .doc, then converted that
.doc back to .docx, and compared the final file with the
original. Each step took under a second.
| In the original | After .docx → .doc → .docx |
|---|---|
| Text, headings and fonts | Kept |
| Table with merged and shaded cells | Kept |
| Picture | Kept |
| Web link | Kept and clickable |
| Headers and footers with page numbers | Kept |
| Comments | Kept |
| Tracked changes | Kept, still waiting to be accepted or rejected |
| Landscape page | Kept |
| Accents, £, Arabic | Kept |
| File size | The .doc was 30 KB; turning it back into .docx gave 15 KB, because .docx is compressed |
What to expect
DOC to DOCX
This direction is the easy one: .docx can hold everything a .doc can,
so text, tables, pictures, headers, footers, comments and tracked changes all come across.
Occasionally line spacing or a page break moves slightly, because newer Word lays documents
out with updated rules.
DOCX to DOC
.doc is a 2003-era format, so anything newer has to be simplified. Ordinary
documents convert fine. Features to check afterwards:
- text effects such as glow, shadows and gradient fills;
- content controls (fill-in boxes and drop-down lists in forms);
- modern charts, SmartArt and icons, which may become plain pictures;
- fonts the old format handles differently, especially in headings.
If something looks wrong, our guide to fixing formatting after converting covers the usual causes.
DOC to DOCX questions
- How do I convert DOC to DOCX for free?
- Drop the
.docinto the box above and click Convert. No account needed, and the file is deleted after download. - Can I convert DOCX back to DOC?
- Yes, with the same box. Drop a
.docxand you'll get a Word 97-2003.doc. - Will I lose anything converting DOCX to DOC?
- Ordinary content is kept. Features newer than Word 2003 may be simplified (see above).
- Are macros kept?
- Don't rely on it. Keep your original file if it contains macros you need.
- Is it safe to upload my document?
- Files are sent over an encrypted connection, converted, and deleted as soon as your download finishes. Nobody reads them. See our Privacy Policy.
Learn more
Not sure which format you need? DOC vs DOCX: what's the difference? explains both, and Google Docs vs DOCX covers moving files between Word and Google Docs. Need a PDF instead? Use the Word to PDF converter.