It is found in northeastern India, southern Tibet (China), and eastern Nepal, and likely in the adjacent western Bhutan.

[1][2] The specific name blanfordii honours William Thomas Blandford, a British geologist and zoologist.

[4] Nanorana blanfordii occurs in small streams and the surrounding grassland and temperate forest at elevations of 2,600–3,400 m (8,500–11,200 ft) above sea level.

Breeding takes place in streams, and the eggs are laid in water under stones.

[1] Nanorana blanfordii is rare in China, whereas its population size is unknown elsewhere.