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) [XC686558]
by Franco Vushurovich from Parque Estadual do Esphinillo Barra do Quara\u00ed, Brazil (song)
Tufted Tit-Spinetail (Leptasthenura platensis) [XC689375]
by Rosendo Manuel Fraga from Mina Clavero, C\u00f3rdoba, Argentina (song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Plumage similarities have suggested to some that this and mostly parapatric Plain-mantled Tit-Spinetail (Leptasthenura aegithaloides) are sister-species.