The headland that it is referring to is made by the river Glomma near the Åsnes farm which is located beneath a hill.

The official blazon is "Or, three pike hooks sable in bend sinister points in base dexter" (Norwegian: I gult tre skrått nedvoksende svarte fløterhaker).

There are three poles to symbolize the three important rivers of the municipality: Glomma, Flisa, and Kynna.

It is part of the Solør, Vinger og Odal prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Hamar.

The municipality is located in the southern part of Innlandet county in the traditional region of Solør.

Finnskogen or the forest of the Finns is a belt about 32 kilometres (20 mi) wide which runs continuously northwards along the border between Norway and Sweden through six Norwegian municipalities, including Åsnes.

Åsnes has several lakes and rivers throughout the forested municipality which sits in the southern Glåmdal valley.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Åsnes is made up of 23 representatives that are elected to four year terms.