The district is roughly V-shaped and lies northeast of the Panj River where its course turns from west to north. It is bordered on the south and west Afghanistan across the Panj River and the lower Pamir River and on the north by Roshtqal'a District. There are short borders with Shughnon District to the north and Murghab District to the east. The Shakhdara Range is along the northern border with Roshtqal'a District and the north-south Ishkoshim Range is along the district's eastern border.