On 1 January 1984, the unpopulated Spekedalen area was transferred from Tynset to the neighboring Rendalen Municipality.

[7] Historically, the name of the municipality was spelled Tønset (pronounced Teunset with the "eu" diphthong equivalent to that in the French word bleu).

The official blazon is "Azure, a moose head issuant argent" (Norwegian: I blått et oppvoksende sølv elghode).

This means the arms have a blue field (background) and the charge is a stylized moose head extending up from the base of the escutcheon.

The moose head has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used.

Tynset is the urban centre for the northern Østerdalen part of Innlandet county in the central area of mainland Norway.

Tynset lies in the upper quadrant of Norway's longest valley, Østerdalen at an elevation of approximately 480 metres (1,574.8 ft) above sea level.

Tynset is known for its vast areas of forest and mountain, which are ideal for skiing, walking, cycling, hunting, and fishing.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Tynset is made up of 27 representatives that are elected to four year terms.

Situated inland on the valley floor at 480 meter altitude and sheltered by mountain ranges, Tynset can see strong inversion for long periods.

Tynset sees sparse precipitation with only 440 mm (17.3 in) annually, with February - April as the driest season.

The main Norwegian National Road 3 runs through the municipality (it is the shortest route between the cities of Oslo and Trondheim).

The Rondevegen road connects Tynset to Lillehammer (to the south), Røros (to the northeast), and continues further into Sweden.

Although it is a modern business and shopping centre with a wide variety of commercial activities, agriculture and forestry are still the traditional ways of making a living.

A factory in Tynset used to produce latex Troll souvenirs, but production moved abroad and it no longer does this.

Tynset has a rich cultural life with a huge range of organisations in sports, music, drama, the arts, and youth work.

The centre houses concerts, plays, a cinema, library, art exhibitions, rehearsals, reunions, conferences, and festivals.

A swimming pool and smaller gymnastics gall in the building connects them to form a complete set of sports facilities.

Tynset had one of Norway's very first pro skateboard vert ramp, it was constructed 1981-82 by Erik Snedsbøl and located in the forest near Tela Sag & Høvleri on Telneset.