Bangladesh, China (mainland), India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam.
North-eastern India (Himalayas of extreme eastern Arunachal and hills south of R Brahmaputra), west, north, eastern and southern (eastern part) Myanmar; northern part of north-western Thailand, northern Laos, northern Vietnam (western and eastern Tonkin) and central, southern and south-eastern China (southern Gansu and southern Shaanxi south to west-central Sichuan and Yunnan, east through Guizhou, northern Guangxi and northern Guangdong to northern Fujian).
 
Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).
Spot-breasted Parrotbill (Paradoxornis) [XC862312]
by GABRIEL LEITE from Doi San Ju - Doi Lang (near Malika), Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai, Thailand (call)
Spot-breasted Parrotbill (Paradoxornis) [XC329590]
by Somkiat Pakapinyo (Chai) from Tambon San Pu Loei, Amphoe Doi Saket, Chang Wat Chiang Mai, Thailand (call, song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Formerly treated as conspecific with Black-breasted Parrotbill (Paradoxornis flavirostris) by some authors, but is morphometrically quite distinct and differs in vocalizations and, especially, in habitat requirements. Ranges of the two overlap (or formerly overlapped) in parts of north-eastern India, but they are ecologically separated.
Proposed subspecies gongshanensis (from western Yunnan, in southern China) considered of very dubious validity.