Based upon an annual parallax shift of 5.02 mas as seen from Earth,[1] it is around 650 light years from the Sun.

Motion relative to our system's trajectory includes a highly parting vector: with a net radial velocity of about +13 km/s.

[4] It moves minutely across the celestial sphere – yet just over four times more in right ascension than in declination.

This is a Beta Cephei variable[3] with a stellar classification of B2 IV.

Consequently, the Chinese name for δ Ceti itself is 天囷九 (Tiān Qūn jiǔ, English: the Ninth Star of Circular Celestial Granary.