Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela.
Eastern Venezuela (Sucre, Monagas, Bolívar, Amazonas), the Guianas, eastern Colombia, north-eastern Peru (Loreto) and northern Brazil (northern Amazonas east to Amapá and, south of Amazon, eastern from R Tapajós to Maranhío).
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Helmeted Pygmy Tyrant (Lophotriccus galeatus) [XC272134]
by Peter Boesman from Mozeskreek area, W Suriname, Suriname (call)
Helmeted Pygmy Tyrant (Lophotriccus galeatus) [XC284964]
by Jeremy Minns from Cristalino Jungle Lodge, MT, Brazil (call, song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Formerly placed in a monotypic genus, Colopteryx, on grounds of narrow outer three primaries, but subsequently moved to present genus owing to overwhelming similarities (including anatomical characters) to current congeners.