How to Rotate a Video in VLC Media Player

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Whether you want to rotate a video while you watch it or you want to rotate and save a video, the free and open source VLC media player makes it a breeze. We’ll show you how.

In VLC, you can use the rotation filter to rotate your video by different degrees. You can then optionally save the rotated version of your video as a standalone file on your computer.

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Rotate a video only while you watch it

To rotate your video only during playback and not apply the changes to the video file, use the steps in this section.

First, start your video with VLC. Then select Tools > Effects and Filters from the app’s menu bar.

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<p>In the Adjustments and Effects window, select the Video Effects tab.</p>
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From the Video Effects tab, access the Geometry tab.

To rotate your video playback by a fixed angle, check the Transform option and then click the drop-down menu to choose a rotation angle. You can also flip your video horizontally or vertically using the same drop-down menu.

activate "transform" and select a rotation angle.

To rotate your video by a specific angle, enable the Rotate option and use the Angle slider to specify your angle.

Enable "Turn" and choose a rotation angle.

When you have set the required rotation options, select Save at the bottom of the window, then select Close.

Back on the playback screen, your video will play with the rotation settings you chose.

Remember that your rotation settings remain active until you manually disable them. To prevent your future video playback from rotating, disable the rotation options enabled above.

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Rotate and save a video permanently

If you rotate a video and want to save this rotated version as a video file on your computer, follow the steps below.

First, use the section above to rotate your video by the specified angle. Once you’ve done that, select Media > Convert/Save from the VLC menu bar.

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<p>In the Media Open window, click Add and add the video file you want to rotate.  Then select “Convert/Save” at the bottom.</p>
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In the Convert window, click the wrench icon next to Profile.

Open the Video Codec tab, followed by the Filter tab.

Under the Filters tab, find and enable the Video Transform Filter option. Then select “Save”.

Enable "Video Transform Filter" and choose "Save on computer."

In the Convert window, next to Destination File, click Browse. Then select the folder where you want to save your rotated video file.

When you’re done, click at the bottom of the window “Convert” on “begin”.

VLC will start rotating and saving your video. You will see the progress at the bottom of the VLC interface. If you don’t see this, click the Play button in the Control Panel.

Choose "To play" Button.

When VLC has finished rotating your video, the resulting file will be available in your selected folder. And you’re done.


Did you know that you can also rotate videos on Mac, Android and iPhone? Check out our guides to learn how.

TIED TOGETHER: How to rotate a video on your Mac

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