A method of apparatus for automatic page orientation of a scanned image which compares the number of character ascending pixels to the number of character descending pixels in the image to determine if the image is properly aligned or is 90.degree. or 180.degree. out of orientation. The method and apparatus includes morphologically processing the bitmap of the scanned image using structuring elements for isolating the character ascenders and descenders. When page orientation is improper, the bitmap image of the scanned image is rotated to correct the misalignment.