Select one or more objects using the Selection tool.
Last updated on
Sep 11, 2025
Learn how to rotate objects in Illustrator to position them precisely in the designs.
Rotate an object using the bounding box
Tip
Press Shift to select multiple objects.
Position the pointer outside the bounding box and near the bounding box handle so that the pointer changes to Rotate icon. Then, drag to rotate.
Rotate an object with the Free Transform tool
Select one or more objects using the Selection tool.
Select the Free Transform tool.
Position the pointer anywhere outside the bounding box so that the pointer changes to Rotate icon. Then, drag to rotate.
Rotate an object with the Rotate tool
Select one or more objects using the Selection tool.
Select the Rotate tool .
Select any of the given methods to rotate object(s) as needed:
- To rotate the object around its center point, drag anywhere in the document window in a circular motion.
- To rotate the object around a different reference point, select 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.
- To rotate a copy of the object instead of the object itself, start dragging to rotate and press Alt (Windows) or Option (macOS).
Note
For finer control, drag farther from the object’s reference point.
Rotate an object with the Transform panel
Select one or more objects using the Selection tool.
Select Window > Transform.
In the Transform panel, select any of the given methods to rotate object(s) as needed:
- To rotate the object around its center point, enter a value for the Rotate field.
- To rotate the object around a different reference point, select a white square on the Reference Point , and enter a value for the Rotate field.
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