In 1901, κ Pavonis was reported to be a variable star with a magnitude range of 3.8 to 5.2 with a period of 9.0908 days.

[14] κ Pavonis ranges between apparent magnitudes 3.91 and 4.78, and spectral types F5 to G5, over a period of 9.1 days.

It is a W Virginis variable, a type II Cepheid thought to be evolving along a blue loop from the thermal pulsing asymptotic giant branch.

[3] κ Pav shows sudden small changes in the period of its otherwise highly regular pulsations.

[5] κ Pavonis is a large star several hundred times more luminous than the sun.