Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise): Harz and Mansfeld-Südharz in Saxony-Anhalt; Kyffhäuserkreis and Eichsfeld in Thuringia; and Göttingen and Goslar in Lower Saxony.

The area of Lohra-Clettenberg (the former dukedom County Hohnstein) and the previously independent imperial city of Nordhausen were then administered together.

The highest point is the Große Ehrenberg, with an elevation of 635.3m above sea level.

To the south lie the Dün, Hainleite, and Windleite ranges of hills.

The broken tree trunk symbolizes the destruction of the city of Nordhausen during World War II, while the new branch growing into the golden area stands for the city's reconstruction and its bright new future.