The planning area is bounded by the following planning areas - Orchard and Museum to the south, Tanglin to the west, Novena to the north, Kallang to the northeast and Rochor to the east.

Occupying an area north of the renowned Orchard Road shopping belt, the territory of Newton Planning Area includes the grounds of The Istana, the official residence and office of the President of Singapore.

It is split into six subzones; Cairnhill, Goodwood Park, Istana Negara, Monk's Hill, Newton Circus and Orange Grove.

Originally Syed Ali Road, Newton Road was renamed in 1914 after Alfred Howard Vincent Newton (died 1897), the Assistant Municipal Engineer in late nineteenth century Singapore[4] in order to avoid confusion with Syed Alwi Road.

As eight roads converge on the Circus, the Tamils used to call Newton ethumuchandi, or "the eight junction place".