However, farther to the south-southeast, across the lunar mare, is the prominent crater Theophilus.

Hypatia is an asymmetrical formation with a rugged, irregular outer rim cut through in several places by narrow clefts.

It is generally longer along an axis running to the north-northwest, with the widest outward bulge occurring on the west side at the northern end.

It resembles a merger of several crater formations with a common interior floor.

By convention, these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint closest to Hypatia.