It is bounded by (from the northwest and clockwise) the districts of Steinburg and Segeberg, the city (and state) of Hamburg and the state of Lower Saxony (district Stade).

The district is situated on the northern bank of the Elbe River.

Due to the growing Hamburg metropolitan area the population is still increasing.

The coat of arms displays a fir tree inside a white nettle-leaf.

Media related to Kreis Pinneberg at Wikimedia Commons