How to Clear Object Rotation in Blender

This article provides a simple, step-by-step guide on how to reset or clear the rotation of an object in Blender back to its default orientation. Whether you are using keyboard shortcuts, navigating the top menu, or adjusting transform values manually, clearing an object's rotation is an essential technique for managing your 3D scene effectively.

Using the Keyboard Shortcut

The fastest way to clear an object's rotation in Blender is by using a hotkey.

  1. Select the object in the 3D Viewport by left-clicking it.
  2. Press Alt + R on your keyboard.

This instantly resets the object's rotation values on the X, Y, and Z axes back to 0 degrees, returning it to its default alignment.

Using the Top Menu

If you prefer using the user interface instead of keyboard shortcuts:

  1. Select your object in the 3D Viewport.
  2. Click on Object in the top-left menu bar of the 3D Viewport.
  3. Hover over Clear in the dropdown menu.
  4. Click Rotation.

Resetting Values in the Sidebar

You can also manually zero out the rotation numbers in the transform panel.

  1. Select your object.
  2. Press N to open the Sidebar on the right side of the 3D Viewport.
  3. Click the Item tab at the top of the Sidebar.
  4. Under the Transform section, locate the Rotation fields (X, Y, and Z).
  5. Set the X, Y, and Z values to 0.

Clearing Rotation vs. Applying Rotation

It is important to understand the difference between clearing rotation and applying rotation:

  • Clearing Rotation (Alt + R): Resets the object's orientation back to 0° on all axes, undoing any custom rotations you have made.
  • Applying Rotation (Ctrl + A > Rotation): Sets the object's current orientation as its new default 0° baseline without moving the object. Use this when you want an angled object to treat its current state as its unrotated default.