Northern and central Argentina (Salta, Formosa and Corrientes south to northern Chubut and southern Buenos Aires), extreme south-eastern Brazil (extreme western Rio Grande do Sul) and Uruguay; recorded also in southern Paraguay.
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Tufted Tit-Spinetail (Leptasthenura platensis) [XC686556]
by JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA from Parque Estadual do Esphinillo Barra do Quara\u00ed, Brazil (song)
Tufted Tit-Spinetail (Leptasthenura platensis) [XC273286]
by JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA from North of Cafayate, Salta, Argentina (twittering)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Plumage similarities have suggested to some that this and mostly parapatric Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail (Leptasthenura aegithaloides) are sister-species.