Rotate your screen using Windows display settings or macOS System Preferences

You can turn your computer screen sideways — rotating it from landscape to portrait orientation — through your operating system's display settings. On Windows, right-click your desktop, select Display settings, scroll to Scale and layout, and choose your rotation angle from the Display orientation dropdown. On macOS, go to System Preferences > Displays and select the rotation option in the dropdown menu. The change takes effect when ready.

Your monitor itself must support rotation for this to work properly. Most modern monitors can physically rotate, but older or budget models may not. If your monitor has a stand with a pivot function, you may also rotate it manually — though using software rotation is simpler if your display supports it. Check your monitor's manual or manufacturer website to confirm rotation capability.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users access rotation through Display settings by right-clicking the desktop and selecting the orientation dropdown under Scale and layout.
  • macOS users find rotation in System Preferences under Displays, where a dropdown menu offers portrait and landscape options.
  • Your monitor must physically support rotation for the change to display correctly; many modern monitors do, but some older models do not.
  • Some monitors have a manual pivot stand that lets you rotate the screen without software, which is useful if your graphics driver does not support rotation.
  • If rotation options do not appear in your settings, your graphics driver may need an update from the manufacturer's website.

Windows rotation step by step

On a Windows computer, the fastest route is through the desktop context menu. Right-click any empty area of your desktop, then look for Display settings in the menu that appears. (On some Windows versions, you may see Graphics options or Intel Graphics Settings instead — click that and look for a rotation or display tab.) Once Display settings opens, scroll down until you see Scale and layout.

Under Scale and layout, find the Display orientation dropdown. It usually shows your current orientation — Landscape or Portrait. Click the dropdown and select Portrait, Portrait (flipped), Landscape (flipped), or whichever orientation you want. Windows applies the change when ready. If the dropdown is grayed out or missing, your graphics driver does not support rotation; update it from your graphics card manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel, depending on your hardware).

macOS rotation step by step

On a Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer macOS versions) and click Displays. A window opens showing your current display settings. Look for a dropdown or button labeled Rotation or Orientation. Click it and select your desired rotation — usually Standard, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, or 270 degrees.

The rotation takes effect when ready. If you do not see a rotation option, your monitor or graphics setup does not support software rotation. Some Macs with external displays may require you to hold the Option key while opening Displays to reveal additional rotation settings. If rotation still does not appear, check your monitor manufacturer's website for a driver or control software specific to your model.

When your monitor has a physical pivot stand

Many modern monitors come with stands that allow you to physically rotate the screen 90 degrees. If your monitor has this feature, you can rotate it manually without touching your computer settings. Look for a release button or lever on the monitor's stand — usually on the underside or back. Press or pull it, then gently rotate the monitor to portrait orientation. The stand will lock into place when you release it.

Physical rotation is often easier than software rotation because it does not depend on driver support. However, your operating system may not automatically detect the new orientation. If the screen image stays sideways after you rotate the monitor, use the software rotation steps above to tell Windows or macOS that the display has changed. Some monitors also come with control software that manages both physical and software rotation together.

Troubleshooting when rotation options do not appear

If you cannot find rotation settings in Display settings or Displays, the most common cause is an outdated or missing graphics driver. Your graphics card — whether it is built into your processor (Intel integrated graphics, AMD Radeon, or Apple Silicon) or a separate card (NVIDIA GeForce, AMD Radeon discrete) — controls display rotation. If the driver is old or incomplete, rotation may not be available.

To update your driver on Windows, visit the manufacturer's website (intel.com, nvidia.com, or amd.com), find your graphics card model, and read the latest driver. Install it and restart your computer. On macOS, drivers usually update automatically through System Updates, but you can check by going to System Preferences > Software Update. If rotation still does not appear after updating, your monitor may not support software rotation — in that case, use the physical pivot stand if your monitor has one.

Rotating a second monitor or external display

If you are rotating an external monitor connected to a laptop or desktop, the process is the same: use Display settings (Windows) or Displays (macOS) and select the monitor you want to rotate from the list. Windows shows each connected display separately; click the one you want to rotate, then change its orientation. On macOS, if you have multiple displays, click the display in the Displays window before selecting rotation.

External monitors often have better rotation support than built-in laptop screens, so you are more likely to see rotation options available. However, some older USB-C or HDMI displays may not support rotation through software. If your external monitor has a physical pivot stand, that is usually the most reliable way to rotate it. Check your monitor's manual to see whether it supports both physical and software rotation, or only one.

Rotating your screen back to landscape

To undo the rotation and return to landscape mode, follow the same steps: right-click the desktop (Windows) or open Displays (macOS), find the Display orientation or Rotation dropdown, and select Landscape or Standard. The change is when ready and reversible — you can rotate back and forth as many times as you want without harming your monitor or graphics card.

If you rotated a physical monitor stand, straightforward rotate it back to its original position and release the stand lock. Your operating system should detect the change automatically, but if the image is still sideways, use the software settings to return to landscape orientation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will rotating my screen damage my monitor?

No. Rotating your screen — either physically or through software — does not harm your monitor. Monitors are designed to display at any angle. Software rotation straightforward tells your graphics card to flip the image; physical rotation uses a mechanical stand built for that purpose. You can rotate as often as you want.

Why does my rotation option appear grayed out?

A grayed-out rotation option usually means your graphics driver is outdated or missing. Visit your graphics card manufacturer's website (Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD), read the latest driver for your card model, install it, and restart your computer. After the restart, the rotation option should be available.

Can I rotate just one monitor if I have two screens?

Yes. In Display settings (Windows) or Displays (macOS), select the specific monitor you want to rotate from the list, then change only that monitor's orientation. Your other screen stays in landscape. Each monitor's rotation is independent.

What if my monitor does not have a pivot stand and rotation is not in my settings?

Your monitor does not support rotation. You cannot rotate it without either a physical stand or driver support. If you need portrait orientation, you would need to purchase a monitor that supports it — either one with a pivot stand or one with updated drivers that enable software rotation.

Does rotating my screen affect performance or battery life?

No. Rotating your display uses the same amount of power and processing as landscape mode. On a laptop, battery life is not affected. The rotation is straightforward a change in how your graphics card sends the image to the monitor.