How to Rotate an Image in Canva

From making an image fit better into your design to creating a dynamic composition, the simple act of rotating an image can go a long way toward helping you tell a compelling visual story.

Fortunately, Canva makes this simple, allowing you to create exciting designs in a few clicks. Keep reading to learn how to rotate images with this popular online graphic design tool.

How to Rotate Image in Canva

With Canva, there are no limits to what angle you can rotate your image. Slightly tilt your image to the left or right to straighten the horizon or correct the perspective. Rotate your image by 90 degrees, and a portrait becomes a landscape. Or go all out, do a one-eighty, and flip your image upside down. The choice is yours.

Rotate Image in Canva Using a Computer

If you prefer using a Windows PC for your creative endeavors, there are two ways to go about it. You can use Canva’s online client or download an app to your Windows PC or Mac.

Canva apps allow you to work offline and leverage your computer’s power for a smoother design experience. Other than that, these two versions function pretty much the same. This means that the steps for rotating an image in Canva will be the same, regardless of the version you decide to use.

1. Launch your preferred Canva version.
2. Click on the “Create a design” button in the top-right corner or open one of your recent designs.
   
3. Locate the image you want to rotate. Alternatively, add the image to your design by clicking the “Upload files” button under the “Uploads” tab.
   
4. Click on the image.
   
5. Find the rotate handle (two arrows rotating inside a circle) below the image.
   
6. Long-press the handle and rotate the image in your desired direction.
   

A bubble denoting the exact angle will appear as you rotate the image. This nifty feature can be helpful if you want to rotate several images to the same degree. Or, you can simply hold the Shift key and select all the images you want to rotate at once. Then repeat Step 6 to achieve the perfect angle.

Since the rotate tool is free-hand, you can drag the handle to whichever angle you like. While you can manually rotate your image to 180 degrees (effectively turning it upside down), there’s a faster way to do so.

1. Click on the image you want to rotate to 180 degrees.
   
2. Press the “Flip” button on the top toolbar (next to the “Edit photo” button).
   
3. Select the “Flip vertical” option.
   

The “Flip” option also allows you to flip your photo horizontally (sideways), which you can’t achieve using the rotate handle.

Suppose you have some issues with your precision. In that case, you can enter the desired degree rather than rotating the handle aimlessly and missing the desired value each time.

1. Click on the image you want to rotate.
   
2. Navigate to the “Position” button at the toolbar above the editor (next to the “Animate” button).
   
3. In the “Arrange” tab, locate the “Rotate” text bar.
   
4. Enter your desired angle.
   
5. Hit “Enter.”

After you’re satisfied with the angles of all your images, you can save your design by following these steps:

1. Click on the “Share” button in the top-right corner.
   
2. Scroll to the “Download” button.
   
3. Select your preferred format under “File type” (JPG, PNG, or SVG).
   
4. Hit the “Download” button.
   

Thanks to Canva’s intuitive interface, the same steps apply to rotating other file types and elements: frames, graphics, tables, text boxes, videos, you name it. The handy rotate handle can tilt them whichever way you like.

However, keep in mind that this handle will only rotate an image outside a frame or a grid. If you want to rotate the image within these elements without rotating them as well, follow these steps:

1. Click on the image within the frame or grid you want to rotate.
   
2. Tap the “Edit” photo button on the top toolbar above the editor.
   
3. Go to the “Crop” tab.
   
4. Drag the “Rotate” slider left or right, depending on your desired angle.
   

Rotate Image in Canva Using a Phone

If you prefer the convenience of using Canva’s mobile app, you’ll be happy to know that the steps for rotating an image are the same whether you’re using an Android or an iPhone.

1. Tap the purple plus button at the bottom of your screen to create a new design. Alternatively, select one of your previous designs under the “Recent designs” section.
   
2. Find the image you want to rotate or add it using the “Use in a new design” button.
   
3. Tap and hold the rotate handle (two arrows rotating inside a circle) under the image.
   
4. Drag the handle to your desired angle.
   

These steps will look slightly different when your image lies within a frame or a grid.

1. Tap the image you wish to rotate.
   
2. Navigate to the toolbar at the bottom of your screen.
   
3. Scroll left to the “Crop” option.
   
4. Drag the “Rotate” slider to the left or right, depending on your desired angle.
   
5. Press the “Done” button.
   

If you need to rotate your image upside down, there are two ways to go about it. Drag the rotate handle manually until you flip your photo, or follow these steps:

1. Press the image you want to rotate to 180 degrees.
   
2. Locate the “Flip” icon on the toolbar below the editor.
   
3. Choose the “Flip vertical” option.

As the option’s name implies, this will flip your image vertically or by 180 degrees. Similarly, the “Flip horizontal” option will flip your image sideways. This can come in handy since you can’t flip your image horizontally by using the rotate handle.

Unlike Canva’s computer clients, the apps won’t show you the exact angle to which you’re rotating your image. This can be unfortunate if you need to rotate your image to a specific angle or rotate multiple images to the same angle. But don’t worry; there’s a solution.

1. Press the image(s) you want to rotate.
   
2. Go to the toolbar below the editor and locate the “Position” option.
   
3. Scroll left to the “Advanced” tab.
   
4. Find the “Rotate” text box in the bottom-right corner.
   
5. Enter your desired degree of rotation.
   
6. Exit the “Position” menu to apply the changes.
   

The same steps can be applied to a plethora of other elements in Canva. Say you need to rotate a poorly-shot video, a tilted sticker, or a monotonous text box. Follow the same steps, and let the rotate handle work its magic.

Once you’re satisfied with the positions of all your elements, you can save your design by following these steps:

1. Tap the “Export” button (an upward-pointing arrow in a partial box) in the upper-right corner.
   
2. Select the “Download” option.
3. Choose your preferred format under “File type.”
   
4. Hit the “Download” button.
   

A Stylish Twist

Using Canva’s rotate option, you can add a stylish twist to any image in a few clicks. But don’t stop there. You can enhance your image in numerous ways. Tweak the color setting to make the image pop. Play with the background to make the composition more visually appealing. Alternatively, you can go all out with photo filters, effects, and frames. Whatever you choose, Canva’s editor can make your vision a reality hassle-free.

Have you used Canva for editing images? What’s your favorite feature? Let us know in the comments section below.