The kingfishers have a cosmopolitan distribution, occurring throughout the world's tropical and temperate regions.

While kingfishers occupy a wide range of habitats, over half the world's species are found in forests and forested streams. They also occupy a wide range of other habitats. Numerous species have adapted to human-modified habitats, particularly those adapted to woodlands, and may be found in cultivated and agricultural areas, as well as parks and gardens in towns and cities.