It partly overlies the eastern rim of the larger crater Fowler, and intrudes into the interior floor.

To the north of Von Zeipel is the crater Esnault-Pelterie, and due south lies Klute.

The remaining rim is worn and rounded from smaller impacts, although the perimeter can still be clearly discerned.

Prior to formal naming by the IAU in 1970,[1] Von Zeipel was called Crater 86.

[2] By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Von Zeipel.