It is confined to the cold temperate zone, in Europe, north and west Asia, extending as far as northwest India.

It is absent in Wales from Brecon and Radnor, Pembroke, Cardigan, Merioneth, and from Mid Lancs, and the Isle of Man, but elsewhere it is universal.

The hairy violet is found on dry banks, and in woods, preferring drier conditions.

The habit is prostrate like that of the sweet violet, which also has no erect stem, the leaves arising from the rootstock directly.

The leaves are likewise heart-shaped, but in this case the stoles or trailing stems with buds are absent or very short, and the bracts are below the middle of the flower-stalk.