[3] Based upon an annual parallax shift of 18.95 mas as seen from Earth,[2] it is located 172 light years from the Sun.

[5] This is an A-type main-sequence star with a stellar classification of A1 Van,[4] where the 'n' indicates "nebulous" absorption lines in the spectrum due to rapid rotation.

It is spinning with a projected rotational velocity of 180 km/s, which is giving the star an oblate shape with an equatorial bulge that is an estimated 7% larger than the polar radius.

It is radiating about 48[8] times the Sun's luminosity from its photosphere at an effective temperature of 9,911 K.[7] δ Ursae Minoris has a 12th magnitude common proper-motion companion at an angular separation of 4.5 arc seconds along a position angle of 67.3°, which is a projected separation of 237.4 au at the distance of δ Ursae Minoris.

It bore the traditional name Yildun (also spelled Vildiur or Gildun) from the Turkish yıldız "star".