How Do You Rotate a Scanned PDF for Free?

You just finished scanning a document, only to see that one page is sideways, upside down, or rotated the wrong way after scanning. It’s a common issue, and it can make an otherwise fine document hard to read or share.

With Smallpdf’s Rotate PDF tool, you can fix page orientation in seconds. Rotate a single page or the entire document directly in your browser, and the change stays permanent when you download or send the file. No installs, no sign-up, and no need to rescan anything.

We’ll show you how to do it.

How To Rotate a PDF Online for Free

This is the fastest way to rotate any PDF, scanned or not.

Step 1: Open Smallpdf Rotate PDF

• Go to Smallpdf Rotate PDF.
• Drag and drop your file into the page, or upload it from your device.

Step 2: Rotate The Pages You Need

• Use the rotate icons on the page thumbnails to rotate a single page.
• Use the “Rotate all” option if every page needs the same rotation.
• Keep clicking until the page is upright. Rotation is done in 90-degree steps.

Step 3: Apply And Download

• Click “Finish,” then download your rotated PDF.
• If you started from Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, save the updated PDF back to cloud storage so your team uses the corrected version.

Rotating Scanned PDFs vs. Regular PDFs

The steps are the same, but what changes is what’s inside the file.

Rotating a Scanned PDF

A scanned PDF is usually a series of images. Rotation won’t change image quality. It only changes orientation. Smallpdf Rotate PDF keeps everything the same except the direction of the pages.

Rotating a Regular PDF

A regular PDF can contain selectable text, links, and form fields. Rotation still works the same way, and your layout stays intact, including text and formatting.

If your PDF has interactive elements, it’s smart to test one page after downloading. Open the file and click a link or form field to confirm everything still behaves as expected.

Rotate Pages And Reorder Them in One Pass

Sometimes rotation is only half the job. If you also need to delete blank scan pages, reorder sections, or fix page order, use Smallpdf Organize PDF instead. It lets you rearrange, remove, and rotate pages from the same thumbnail view.

A typical workflow for cleaning up scanned documents looks like this:

• Use Smallpdf Organize PDF to rotate the wrong pages and delete blanks.
• Download the corrected PDF and share it as the final version.

How To Rotate a PDF on Mobile

Rotating on mobile is usually more urgent because you’re reviewing a scan right before sending it.

Rotate On iPhone and Android in Your Browser

Smallpdf Rotate PDF works in your mobile browser, so you can upload, rotate, and download without installing an app.

Tips that help on smaller screens:

• Zoom in before you rotate if you’re not sure which page is sideways.
• Rotate, download, then preview the new file once before sharing.

Rotate Offline With Smallpdf Desktop App

If you can’t upload a document due to internal rules, you can rotate PDFs offline with the Smallpdf Desktop App. It’s designed for offline processing, which helps when a file can’t leave your device.

Troubleshooting PDF Rotation Issues

Here are the problems we see most, plus the quickest fixes.

1. ‘I Rotated It, but It Still Opens Sideways for Someone Else.’

Many PDF viewers let you rotate the view without saving a new file. That’s helpful for reading, but it doesn’t permanently change the document.

Fix: Rotate the file with Smallpdf Rotate PDF, then download the updated PDF so the rotation is baked in.

2. ‘Only One Page Is Wrong, and I Don’t Want To Rotate the Whole File.’

Fix: Rotate only that page using the rotate icon on its thumbnail. Leave the other pages untouched.

3. ‘My Rotated File Didn’t Download.’

Fixes that usually work:

• Try again in a different browser.
• Disable extensions that change downloads or block scripts.
• Re-run the process and download again.

Smallpdf notes that extensions are a common cause when files won’t process correctly.

4. ‘Will Rotation Reduce Print Quality?’

Rotation doesn’t compress or re-scan your pages. It only changes the orientation, so print quality stays the same.

5. My File Is Sensitive. Is It Safe To Rotate Online?

Smallpdf uses TLS encryption during file transfer and automatically deletes files after one hour of processing for most tasks. Smallpdf is also ISO 27001 certified and GDPR compliant.

If your policy requires offline processing, the Smallpdf Desktop App is the better fit.

Rotate Your PDF Once, Then Move On

Rotating a PDF should take seconds, not a full rescan. If you want the quickest fix, use Smallpdf Rotate PDF to rotate the exact pages that are sideways, then download the corrected file.

If you also need to delete blank pages or reorder scans, Smallpdf Organize PDF can handle that in the same thumbnail view.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I permanently rotate a PDF and save it?

Upload the PDF to Smallpdf Rotate PDF, rotate the pages you need, click “Finish,” then download the updated file.

Can I rotate just certain pages in a PDF?

Yes. Rotate only the pages you need by using the rotate icon on those page thumbnails.

Can I rotate a scanned PDF for free?

Yes. A scan rotates the same way as any PDF, and the page orientation change is permanent once you download the new file.

Does rotating a PDF affect quality or layout?

No. Smallpdf keeps the document the same except for page orientation, so layout and formatting stay intact.

Can I rotate PDFs on my phone?

Yes. Open Smallpdf Rotate PDF in your mobile browser, upload the file, rotate pages using the thumbnail icons, then download.

How do I flip a PDF horizontally instead of rotating?

Smallpdf‘s Rotate tool handles clockwise and counterclockwise rotation. For horizontal flipping (mirror effect), you’ll need to use the Edit PDF to manipulate individual elements.

What’s the maximum file size I can rotate?

Free users can rotate PDFs up to 100MB. With Smallpdf Pro, you can handle files up to 2GB, which may be perfect for large scanned documents or image-heavy PDFs.

Is it safe to upload a PDF to rotate it?

Smallpdf secures file transfers with TLS encryption and deletes files automatically after one hour for most tools. It’s also ISO 27001 certified and GDPR compliant.