It lies just south of the Indus River in the Diamer District.

The core of Nanga Parbat is a long ridge trending southwest–northeast.

In the other direction from the summit, the main ridge starts as the East Ridge before turning more northeast at Rakhiot Peak (7,070 m), about 4 km northeast of the Nanga Parbat summit.

The Silver Saddle (Silbersackel) is about halfway in-between Rakhiot Peak and Nanga Parbat summit.

The south/southeast side of the mountain is dominated by the Rupal Face, often referred to as the highest mountain face in the world: it rises an incredible 4,600 m (15,100 feet) above its base.