The range is bound by the Drau River in the north, separating it from the Western Tauern section of the Central Eastern Alps.

The northern, entirely Austrian range is called the Gailtal Alps or Drauzug, bordered by the Gail River in the south.

The main ridge of the Carnic Alps forms the Austrian-Italian border and stretches from prominent Mt.

In the south, the Carnic Prealps stretch between the Piave and Tagliamento rivers down to the Padan Plain.

Administratively, the range is divided between the Italian Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and the Austrian states Tyrol and Carinthia.