It has the apparent visual magnitude of +4.42,[2] making it visible to the naked eye under suitably good seeing conditions.

This star is close enough to the Earth that its distance can be measured using the parallax technique, which yields a value of roughly 392 light-years (120 parsecs).

Tau Geminorum is radiating 364[4] times as much radiation as the Sun from its expanded outer atmosphere at an effective temperature of 4,583 K,[4] giving it the characteristic orange-hued glow of a K-type star.

[7] This brown dwarf takes 305 days (0.84 years) to revolve around Tau Gem.

It may also have a stellar companion; a magnitude 11, K0 dwarf at a projected separation of about 187 AU.