How to Rotate PDF on Mac Free (2026 Guide)

Published on January 25, 2026 • 7 min read

Need to rotate PDF pages on your Mac? This guide shows you the best free methods to fix PDF orientation on macOS.

Method 1: PdfVala (Recommended - Easiest)

✅ Why This is Best for Mac:

✓ Works on all macOS versions
✓ No software installation needed
✓ Completely free
✓ Rotate individual or all pages
✓ 90°, 180°, 270° rotation options
✓ Visual preview before saving

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Open Browser: Launch Safari, Chrome, or Firefox
Visit PdfVala: Go to PdfVala Rotate PDF
Upload PDF: Drag and drop your PDF
Select Pages: Choose pages to rotate
Rotate: Click rotation buttons (90°, 180°, 270°)
Download: Save the rotated PDF

Method 2: Mac Preview App

Preview can rotate PDFs:

Open PDF in Preview
Select pages in thumbnail sidebar
Tools → Rotate Left/Right (or Cmd + L/R)
File → Save

Mac-Specific Tips

Keyboard Shortcuts in Preview

Cmd + L: Rotate left (counterclockwise)
Cmd + R: Rotate right (clockwise)
Cmd + Option + 2: Show thumbnails

Common Use Cases on Mac

Fix scanned documents from iPhone/iPad
Correct orientation of photos converted to PDF
Rotate landscape pages in portrait documents
Fix upside-down pages

FAQ for Mac Users

Can Mac Preview rotate PDFs?

Yes, but PdfVala offers more flexibility and doesn't require saving over the original file.

Will rotated PDFs work on Windows?

Yes! Rotated PDFs work on all platforms.

Is PdfVala compatible with Apple Silicon?

Yes! Works on M1, M2, M3, and Intel Macs.

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Conclusion

While Mac's Preview can rotate PDFs, PdfVala offers a more flexible solution with visual preview and no risk of overwriting your original file.