[2] The river has its source in the Olsky Plateau of the Upper Kolyma Highlands, 35 km (22 mi) to the west of Atka at an elevation of about 700 metres (2,300 ft).

In its last stretch is descends to a floodplain with wetlands to the west of Magadan, where it flows across the Arman Range.

The waters of the Arman enter Taui Bay of the Sea of Okhotsk through a narrow channel at the western end of the spit.

[3][4] The main tributary of the Arman is the 115 km (71 mi) long Khasyn that joins it in its lower course from the left.

Other main fish species in the Arman are coho salmon, grayling, Dolly Varden char and kundzha.