Mandalay District, the most northerly district of the Mandalay Division of Upper Burma, lies between 21° 42´ and 22°46´N. and between 95° 54´ and 96° 46´ E. with an area of 2,131 square miles. It is bounded on the north by the Mogôk Subdivision of the Katha District; on the east by the Hsipaw State of the Northern Shah States; on the south by the Lawksawk State of the Southern Shan States, by the Kyauksè District, and by the Tada-u Township of the Sagaing District; and on the west by the Sagaing and Shwebo Districts.

Of the gross area of the district, 427 square miles are occupied for cultivation and 669 square miles are Reserved Forest; of the balance 203 square miles are classed as culturable waste, and 832 square miles as not available for cultivation.