Pathum Thani is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Bangkok and Nonthaburi.

The province is located directly north of Bangkok and is part of the Bangkok metropolis. In many parts the boundary between the two provinces is not noticeable anymore, since both sides of the boundary are being equally urbanized. For example, when people mentioned "Rangsit" which, strictly speaking, is a district of Bangkok, they actually mean parts of Pathum Thani as well (the "Rangsit Centre" of Thammasat University is a prominent example, since the campus is actually located in Khlong Luang district of Pathum Thani).