In transition metal oxides, preferential occupation of specific d orbitals on the transition metal ion can lead to the development of a long-range ordered pattern of occupied orbitals. This phenomenon, referred to as orbital ordering, is usually observed indirectly from the cooperative Jahn–Teller distortions (CJTDs) that result as a consequence of the orbital ordering. This paper examines the interplay between orbital ordering, octahedral tilting and cation ordering in perovskites. Both ternary AMX3 perovskites containing an active Jahn–Teller (J–T) ion on the octahedral site and quaternary A2MM′X6 perovskites containing a J–T ion on one-half of the octahedral sites have been examined. In AMX3 perovskites, the tendency is for the occupied 3d3x2−r2 and 3d3z2−r2 orbitals to order in the ac plane, as exemplified by the crystal structures of LaMnO3 and KCuF3. This arrangement maintains a favorable coordination environment for the anion sites. In AMX3 perovskites, octahedral tilting tends to enhance the magnitude of the J–T distortions. In A2MM′X6 perovskites, the tendency is for the occupied 3d3z2−r2 orbitals to align parallel to the c axis. This pattern maintains a favorable coordination environment about the symmetric M′-cation site. The orbital ordering found in rock-salt ordered A2MM′X6 perovskites is compatible with octahedral rotations about the c axis (Glazer tilt system a0a0c−) but appears to be incompatible with GdFeO3-type octahedral tilting (tilt system a−b+a−).