How to Rotate PDF Pages: Fix Upside Down & Sideways PDFs

Scanned documents often end up with pages in the wrong orientation. Whether your PDF pages are sideways, upside down, or just need a quick adjustment, here's how to rotate PDF pages and save them correctly.

Why Rotate PDF Pages?

Common reasons to rotate PDFs:

• Scanned documents: Scanner saved pages sideways
• Mixed orientations: Portrait and landscape pages in one document
• Wrong scan direction: Pages are upside down
• Mobile scans: Phone camera scanned at wrong angle
• Presentation fix: Rotate for better viewing

Method 1: Rotate PDF Online (Fastest)

How to Rotate PDF Pages:

1. Go to Percime PDF Rotator
2. Upload your PDF file
3. Select pages to rotate (or select all)
4. Choose rotation:
   • 90° clockwise
   • 90° counter-clockwise
   • 180° (flip upside down)
5. Click Rotate
6. Download the fixed PDF

Why Use Online Rotation:

• No software to install
• Rotation is saved permanently
• Works on any device
• Free, no watermarks

Method 2: Rotate PDF on Mac (Preview)

Mac's Preview app can rotate PDF pages:

1. Open PDF in Preview
2. View > Thumbnails (show sidebar)
3. Select page(s) to rotate
4. Tools > Rotate Left/Right
5. Save the document

Note: Changes save automatically to the original file.

Method 3: Rotate PDF in Adobe Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) can rotate for viewing only. To save rotation permanently, you need Adobe Acrobat Pro.

For Viewing Only:

View > Rotate View > Clockwise/Counterclockwise

To Save Rotation (Acrobat Pro):

1. Open PDF in Acrobat Pro
2. Tools > Organize Pages
3. Select and rotate pages
4. Save

Method 4: Rotate PDF on Phone

iPhone:

1. Open PDF in Files app
2. Use Markup to view
3. For permanent rotation, use an online tool in Safari

Android:

Use Chrome to access an online PDF rotator — works the same as desktop.

Rotation Options Explained

Rotation	When to Use
90° Clockwise	Page is sideways (rotated left)
90° Counter-clockwise	Page is sideways (rotated right)
180°	Page is upside down

Rotating Specific Pages

You don't always need to rotate the entire document. Most tools let you:

• Rotate single page: Fix one problem page
• Rotate range: Fix pages 5-10
• Rotate odd/even: Fix alternating pages
• Rotate all: Fix entire document

Tips for PDF Rotation

1. Preview first: Check which direction to rotate
2. Rotate before merging: Fix orientation, then combine documents
3. Check all pages: Scroll through to find all sideways pages
4. Save a copy: Keep original in case of mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PDF rotation permanent?

When you use a proper PDF tool and save, the rotation is permanent. Viewer-only rotation (like Adobe Reader) is temporary.

Can I rotate just one page in a PDF?

Yes, most tools let you select specific pages to rotate while leaving others unchanged.

Will rotating reduce PDF quality?

No, rotation doesn't compress or degrade your PDF. It simply changes the orientation metadata.

Why are my scanned PDFs sideways?

Most scanners have an orientation setting. Check your scanner's default settings to prevent this in the future.

Conclusion

Fixing sideways or upside-down PDFs is easy with the right tools. Online PDF rotators offer the fastest solution — upload, rotate, download.

Rotate your PDF pages free — permanent rotation, no watermarks.

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Related: Merge PDF Files | Split PDF Pages