Breitscheid lies in the Hunsrück between Koblenz and Bad Kreuznach.

It belongs to the Verbandsgemeinde of Rhein-Nahe, whose seat is in Bingen am Rhein, although that town is not within its bounds.

The placename comes from the Middle High German breit and -scheid: “wooded ridge”.

The municipality's arms might be described thus: Per pale argent a cross sable and gules in chief sinister a mullet of six, and in base a mound royal ensigned with a cross crosslet Or.

Autobahn A 61 can be reached after a drive of roughly 10 km.