West of Kapteyn is the slightly smaller Barkla, and farther to the west-northwest is the prominent Langrenus.

This crater is circular in shape, although it appears oval when viewed from the Earth due to foreshortening.

The rim is only slightly worn, with no craters of note along the edge or the inner walls.

At the midpoint of the interior floor is a central peak.

[1] By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Kapteyn.