It flows through the Liberec Region in the Czech Republic and then through Lower Silesian Voivodeship.

The initial name of the river was Wietev, derived from the Slavic word for 'branch' (in modern Czech větev).

It flows to Radomierzyce, where it enters the Lusatian Neisse River at an elevation of 194 m (636 ft).

The sources and longest tributaries of the Smědá are:[6] The river flows through the territories of Hejnice, Bílý Potok, Raspenava, Frýdlant, Kunratice, Višňová and Černousy in the Czech Republic and Zawidów, Gmina Sulików and Gmina Zgorzelec in Poland.

[4] The final section of the river within the limits of the Czech Republic is protected as the Meandry Smědé ('Smědá meanders') Nature Reserve.