To rotate a video on Windows, open it in Clipchamp, select the clip, choose Rotate from the floating toolbar's three-dot menu, and export. Clipchamp comes with Windows 11. On Windows 10 or 11, the MobileStudio Rotate & Flip Video tool is faster: open it in Edge or Chrome, rotate, and download an MP4 that stays upright in every player.
The short answer
| Method | Rotate | Flip | Saves a file? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rotate & Flip Video | Yes | Horizontal | Yes, MP4 |
| Clipchamp | Yes | Horizontal and vertical | Yes |
| VLC | Yes | Yes | Playback, or via Convert |
| FFmpeg | Yes | Yes | Yes |
How do I rotate a video on Windows in the browser?
- Open Rotate & Flip Video in Edge or Chrome.
- Drop in the video.
- Click Left 90° or Right 90° until the preview is upright.
- Click Flip if it's mirrored.
- Click Export MP4.
The rotation is baked into the picture, and the audio is kept. Nothing is uploaded.
How do I rotate a video in Clipchamp?
- Open Clipchamp and create a new video.
- Drag the video onto the timeline and select it.
- In the floating toolbar on the preview, open the three-dot menu and choose Rotate. Each click turns it 90 degrees.
- Click Export.
The same menu has Flip horizontal and Flip vertical, as Microsoft's flip guide explains. For general editing, see Microsoft's Clipchamp guide.
How do I rotate a video in VLC?
In VLC, choose Tools > Effects and Filters > Video Effects > Geometry, check Transform, and pick a rotation. That rotates playback only. To save a rotated file, you'd use Media > Convert / Save with a rotate filter in the profile settings, which is fiddly. The full walkthrough is in how to rotate a video in VLC.
How do I rotate a video with FFmpeg?
ffmpeg -i in.mp4 -vf "transpose=1" -c:a copy out.mp4
transpose=1 rotates 90 degrees clockwise, transpose=2 counterclockwise, and hflip mirrors. The FFmpeg documentation lists every option.
Why do iPhone videos play sideways on Windows?
iPhone may store rotation as a note in the file. Some Windows players and editors ignore it. Exporting from the browser tool bakes the rotation in. If the video won't play at all, it's probably HEVC; see why your iPhone video won't play on Windows.
Does rotating a video on Windows reduce quality?
Not noticeably. Rotation itself doesn't lose detail, and exports are re-encoded at high quality.
How do I avoid sideways videos in the future?
Most sideways videos on a PC were recorded that way on a phone. Ask whoever films to hold the phone in position before tapping record, with rotation lock off. For webcams and capture devices, check the camera app's own rotation setting, since a mounted camera can be installed upside down without the software knowing.
Can the Windows Photos app rotate videos?
The video editing that used to live in Photos moved to Clipchamp on Windows 11. Use Clipchamp or the browser tool. For every device, see how to rotate a video.
Where MobileStudio fits
Rotate & Flip Video is one of our free tools. MobileStudio itself turns phone screen recordings into polished app demos. Get MobileStudio.
Quick FAQ
How do I rotate a video on Windows 10?
Use the browser tool, or download Clipchamp.
How do I rotate a video and save it on Windows?
Export from Clipchamp or the browser tool. VLC's rotation is playback only unless you convert.
How do I rotate a video 90 degrees on Windows?
Click Right 90° in the browser tool, or choose Rotate in Clipchamp's clip menu, then export.
Can I flip a video on Windows?
Yes. Clipchamp flips horizontally and vertically, and the browser tool flips horizontally in one click.
Is there a free video rotator for Windows?
Yes. The browser tool, Clipchamp, VLC, and FFmpeg are all free to use.
