Rotate objects

Rotating an object turns it around a fixed point that you designate. The default reference point is the object’s center point. If you have multiple objects in a selection, the objects will rotate around a single reference point, which is the center point of the selection or bounding box by default. To rotate each object around its own center point, use the Transform Each command.

Results of Rotate tool (left) compared to Transform Each command (right)

Rotate an object using the bounding box

Select one or more objects.
With the Selection tool , move the pointer outside the bounding box and near a bounding box handle so that the pointer changes to , and then drag.

Rotate an object with the Free Transform tool

Select one or more objects.
Select the Free Transform tool .
Position the pointer anywhere outside the bounding box so that the pointer changes to , and then drag.

Rotate an object with the Rotate tool

Select one or more objects.
Select the Rotate tool .
Do any of the following:
- To rotate the object around its center point, drag in a circular motion anywhere in the document window.
- To rotate the object around a different reference point, click once anywhere in the document window to reposition the reference point. Then move the pointer away from the reference point and drag in a circular motion.
- To rotate a copy of the object instead of the object itself, hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) after you start to drag.

For finer control, drag farther from the object’s reference point.

Rotate an object by a specific angle

You can control the exact angle of rotation with the Rotate command.

Select one or more objects.
Do one of the following:
- To rotate around the center point, choose Object > Transform > Rotate, or double-click the Rotate tool.
- To rotate around a different reference point, select the Rotate tool. Then Alt‑click (Windows) or Option‑click (Mac OS) where you want the reference point to be in the document window.
Enter the rotation angle in the Angle text box. Enter a negative angle to rotate the object clockwise; enter a positive angle to rotate the object counterclockwise.
If the objects contain a pattern fill, select Patterns to rotate the pattern. Deselect Objects if you want to rotate the pattern but not the objects.
Click OK, or click Copy to scale a copy of the objects.
To place multiple copies of the object in a circular pattern around a reference point, move the reference point away from the center of the object, click Copy, and then repeatedly choose Object > Transform > Transform Again.

Rotate an object with the Transform panel

Select one or more objects.
Do one of the following:
- To rotate the object around its center point, enter a value for the Angle option in the panel.
- To rotate the object around a different reference point, click a white square on the reference point locator in the panel, and enter a value for the Angle option.
  
  You can also call up the Transform panel by clicking X, Y, W, or H in the Control panel.

Rotate multiple objects individually

Select the objects to rotate.
Choose Object > Transform > Transform Each.
Do either of the following in the Rotate section of the dialog box:
- Click on the angle icon or drag the angle line around the icon.
- In the Angle text box, enter an angle between –360° and 360°.
Click OK, or click Copy to rotate a copy of each object.