Meghalaya (India) on the north, Beanibazar and Zakiganj upazilas on the south, Meghalaya (India) on the east, Jaintiapur and Golabganj upazilas on the west.

Kanaighat thana was established in 1932 and was turned into an upazila in 1980. The upazila consists of 9 union parishads, 252 mouzas and 288 villages.

Kanaighat Upazila is located in Sylhet District. Upazilla(s)/Thana(s) in Sylhet are Balaganj Upazila, Beanibazar Upazila, Bishwanath Upazila, Companiganj Upazila, Fenchuganj Upazila, Golabganj Upazila, Gowainghat Upazila, Jaintiapur Upazila, Kanaighat Upazila, Sylhet Sadar Upazila, Zakiganj Upazila.