A total of 16 teams contested the league, 12 returning from the 2011 season, two relegated from Allsvenskan and two promoted from Division 1.
2011-champions Åtvidabergs FF and runner-up GIF Sundsvall were promoted to the Allsvenskan at the end of the 2011 season.
Västerås SK and Qviding FIF were relegated at the end of the 2011 season after finishing in the bottom two places of the table.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules.
Note: Some matches were played out of phase with the corresponding round, positions were corrected in hindsight.