It is a major industrial town located on NH 4 Chennai-Bangalore highway, on the northern bank of the Palar River.

Ranipet was built around the year 1771 by Sadut-ulla-khan, the Nawab of Carnatic, in honor of the youthful widow of Desingh Raja of Gingee, who committed Sati upon her husband's death.

Out of respect for Desingh Raja's valour and his wife's devotion, the Nawab formed a new village opposite to Arcot on the Northern bank of the Palar River and named it Ranipet.

About a mile west of Ranipet is a remarkable thope extending along the Palar river, for a distance of 4.8 km (3.0 mi) which is known as 'Navlakh Bagh'.

[6] On 21 October 2021, Arakkonam and Nemili taluks of Ranipet district were added to the Chennai Metropolitan Area.