This article teaches you how to rotate pages within a PDF. It includes instructions on how to rotate PDF single pages, range of pages, and how to rotate entire PDF files. 

What To Know

  • Open the file using an online service: We recommend Adobe, Smallpdf, or Rotatepdf.Adobe: Click Select a file > find it > Open > log in > hover over the page > use the arrows to rotate left or right > Save > Download PDF.The methods below won’t work on a read-only PDF or any PDFs that are password protected.

How To Rotate PDF Single Pages

If you’re learning how to rotate pages in PDF documents, the number of different methods can feel intimidating. We’re focusing on the simplest options with free tools so that you can do so with minimal hassle, regardless of the device you’re using. Here’s what to do if you want to change just one PDF document.  

  • Go to Adobe’s rotate PDF page.
  • Click Select a file.
  • Find the file on your PC or Mac and click Open.
  • Wait for the file to upload.
  • Log in via an Adobe or Google account.
  • If this is your first time using the site or any Adobe services, you’ll need to sign up. Free accounts typically only allow you to rotate one PDF document.
  • Hover over the page you wish to rotate.
  • Click the arrows to rotate either left or right.
  • Click Save.
  • Click Download PDF to download the file.

How To Rotate a Range of Pages in a PDF

If you need to rotate a range of pages within one PDF or rotate multiple PDF documents, there are other free solutions. Here’s how to do so.

All these methods involve using free web-based services, so you’ll require an active internet connection to complete the steps. Alternatively, many free PDF editors are available, or Mac users can use the Preview app to rotate individual pages.

Go to Adobe’s rotate PDF page.

Click Select a file.

Find the file on your PC or Mac and click Open.

Wait for the file to upload.

Log in via an Adobe or Google account.

If this is your first time using the site or any Adobe services, you’ll need to sign up. Free accounts typically only allow you to rotate one PDF document.

Hover over the page you wish to rotate.

Click the arrows to rotate either left or right.

Click Save.

Click Download PDF to download the file.

  • Go to Smallpdf’s rotate page.
  • You’re only allowed to use the site for free with two documents per day.
  • Click Choose Files.
  • Find the file you need on your PC or Mac and click Open.
  • Hover over each page you wish to rotate and click on the directional arrows to rotate them.
  • You can also rotate all by clicking the left or right arrow next to Rotate all.
  • Click Apply Changes when you’ve finished.
  • Click Download.

How To Rotate an Entire PDF Document

If you’d prefer to rotate PDF files en masse without any limitations, there are other options. Here’s how to do it.

Go to Smallpdf’s rotate page.

You’re only allowed to use the site for free with two documents per day.

Click Choose Files.

Find the file you need on your PC or Mac and click Open.

Hover over each page you wish to rotate and click on the directional arrows to rotate them.

You can also rotate all by clicking the left or right arrow next to Rotate all.

Click Apply Changes when you’ve finished.

Click Download. 

  • Go to Rotate PDF’s page.
  • The site is entirely free and doesn’t restrict how often you can use it per day. It only works with rotating whole documents, though.
  • Click Select the PDF document.
  • Find the file on your PC or Mac and click Open.
  • Scroll down and choose the rotation angle you desire for the document.
  • Click Rotate PDF.
  • Click Download the rotated PDF.
  • The file is now saved to your PC or Mac and fully rotated to the desired angle.

Limitations To Rotating PDF Documents

There are some limitations to rotating PDF files. Here’s what you need to know.

Go to Rotate PDF’s page.

The site is entirely free and doesn’t restrict how often you can use it per day. It only works with rotating whole documents, though.

Click Select the PDF document.

Scroll down and choose the rotation angle you desire for the document.

Click Rotate PDF.

Click Download the rotated PDF.

The file is now saved to your PC or Mac and fully rotated to the desired angle. 

  • These methods won’t work on a read-only PDF. If a PDF file is Read-Only, you can’t edit it in any way. That means you can’t rotate the document in any way. You’ll need to change the Read-Only properties first to be able to do so.Rotating a PDF doesn’t circumvent password protection. If a PDF has password protection, you’ll still need to know the password to edit the file and rotate it.

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