NGC 3261 is a barred spiral galaxy in the constellation Vela.

The galaxy lies about 110 million light years away from Earth based on redshift, which means, given its apparent dimensions, that NGC 3261 is approximately 130,000 light years across.

At the end of the bar there is a nearly complete inner pseudoring formed by the spiral arm.

From the ring emanate two diffuse spiral arms that can be traced for more than half a revolution.

[8] Four companion galaxies are visible south of NGC 3261, the two of them lying close to it.