[2] This distance to this star can be estimated from its annual parallax shift of 11.47 mas,[1] showing it to be about 284 light years away.

[4] The spectrum of this star matches a stellar classification of A2 IV,[2] suggesting it is a subgiant star that is in the process of evolving away from the main sequence as the supply of hydrogen at its core becomes exhausted.

It has a high rate of spin, showing a projected rotational velocity of 116 km/s.

[6] This is giving the star a slight oblate shape with an equatorial bulge that is 5% larger than the polar radius.

[5] Zeta Hydri is radiating 80[2] times the Sun's luminosity into space from its photosphere at an effective temperature of 9,144 K.[6]