It is located in the southern fringe of the huge skirt of ejecta that surrounds the Mare Orientale impact basin.

The younger Mendel J is attached to the southeastern edge and shares part of the rim.

Parts of the inner wall of Mendel display worn, terrace-like features that have become rounded.

The interior floor of Mendel displays deposits and depressions that may have been formed by ejecta from the Mare Orientale formation.

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