NGC 7013 is a relatively nearby spiral or lenticular galaxy[2][3] estimated to be around 37 to 41.4 million light-years away from Earth[4][5] in the constellation of Cygnus.

[2][9] NGC 7013 is also considered part of a class of galactic nuclei that is defined by their spectral line emissions, called low-ionization nuclear emission-line region galaxies or LINERs.

[2] Optical images of NGC 7013 show that it has a small bulge[11] with a bright inner ring and a faint disk both crossed by dust lanes.

[3] A longer exposure of the galaxy made by the Palomar Observatory-National Geographic Sky Survey shows an extended disk around the bulge and the inner ring.

The low level of neutral atomic hydrogen in the disk of NGC 7013 and the reddish color of the galaxy suggests that the gas content of the galactic disc has fallen below the threshold at which star formation is likely to take place.