How to Open HWP Files Without Hancom Office
toolmoa editorial team ·
Quick answer
HWP is the document format of Hangul, the Korean word processor made by Hancom. The quickest way to open one is in your browser: choose the file in a free online HWP viewer such as toolmoa's, and it opens on Mac, Windows, iPhone or Android with nothing to install and nothing uploaded. To share or print it, convert it to PDF; to fill in a form, use an online HWP editor.
What is an HWP file?
HWP, and the newer XML-based HWPX, is the native format of Hangul (also written Hangeul or Hancom Hangul), part of Hancom Office. It is the standard word processor in Korean government agencies, schools and many companies, which is why application forms and official notices often arrive as .hwp files.
Microsoft Word, Google Docs and Apple Pages generally cannot open HWP files, so you need an HWP viewer, an HWP editor, or a converter.
Option 1: Open it in your browser (fastest)
An online HWP viewer shows the document page by page on any device. With toolmoa the file is processed inside your browser and never uploaded.
- 1Open the toolmoa HWP Viewer.
- 2Choose your .hwp or .hwpx file.
- 3Page through the document, zoom in, or copy its text.
Option 2: Convert HWP to PDF to share or print
PDF opens everywhere, so converting is the easiest way to forward, print or archive the document. Each page is saved as a high-quality image, which keeps the layout exact; the text in that PDF cannot be selected.
- 1Open the toolmoa HWP to PDF converter.
- 2Choose your .hwp or .hwpx file and pick a quality.
- 3Select Convert to PDF, then download the PDF.
Option 3: Edit or fill in an HWP form
If an office asks you to fill in and return an HWP form, open it in the toolmoa HWP editor, type your answers, and download it again as HWP or HWPX.
The editor menus are in Korean: 파일 = File, 편집 = Edit, 보기 = View, 입력 = Insert, 서식 = Format, 표 = Table. Use the Download HWP button on the page to save.
Open HWP/HWPX Web EditorOption 4: Get the text to translate it
Use the HWP to TXT converter to extract the plain text, then paste it into the translator you prefer instead of retyping a long notice.
Open HWP/HWPX to TXTOption 5: Use Hancom's own apps
When exact formatting matters, for example for an official submission, Hancom offers Hancom Office and viewer apps for desktop and mobile. Check Hancom's website or your app store for current availability and pricing.
Ways to open an HWP file
| Method | Install | Works on phones | Edit | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| toolmoa HWP Viewer | No | Yes | No | Free |
| toolmoa HWP to PDF | No | Yes | No | Free |
| toolmoa HWP Editor | No | Yes, easier on large screens | Yes | Free |
| Hancom Office | Yes | Depends on the app | Yes | Paid license |
Frequently asked questions
Can I open an HWP file in Microsoft Word or Google Docs?
Generally no. Word, Google Docs and Pages do not support the HWP format. Open it in an HWP viewer or convert it to PDF first.
Is it safe to open HWP files online?
With toolmoa the file is processed inside your browser and is never uploaded to a server, so the document stays on your device.
What is the difference between HWP and HWPX?
HWPX is the newer XML-based version of the format, much like DOCX replaced DOC. toolmoa opens both.
Why does the document look slightly different from the original?
Special Korean fonts, complex tables and equations can render differently outside Hancom Office. For official submissions, compare the result with the original.
Do I need to read Korean?
No. The toolmoa pages are in English; only the full editor shows Korean menus, and the page explains what each menu means.