Afghanistan (B) (NB), Bhutan, China (mainland), India, Kazakhstan (B), Kyrgyzstan (B) (NB), Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia (Asian), Russia (Central Asian) (B) (NB), Tajikistan (B), Turkmenistan.
Mountains from southern Russia (Altai region east to mountains east of L Baikal) and north-western Mongolia south to Tien Shan and Pamirs. Non-breeding in Himalayas (east to Sikkim). Range limits not well known.
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Altai Accentor (Prunella himalayana) [XC72997]
by Mike Nelson from Cheer Pheasant overlook, Pangot, Uttarakhand, India (call)
Altai Accentor (Prunella himalayana) [XC118671]
by Timo Janhonen from Machhaphuchhare Base Camp, Nepal (song, subsong)
Subspecies
Most closely related to, and forming a species group with, Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris). The two are sometimes placed in a separate genus, Laiscopus, because of larger size and distinct plumage differences in comparison with current congeners.