Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Natal, South Africa and east to the Hawaiian, Line, and Ducie islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to Perth, New South Wales, Lord Howe Island and Rapa Island.

Initial phase very variable in coloration. Small individuals may be uniformly dark brown to light gray with or without the dark-centered light area on the caudal peduncle; large individuals may have a series of irregular rows of small light spots posteriorly or have the dark-centered light area on the caudal peduncle. The terminal phase is also variable with or without a large tan area on the side or on the caudal peduncle. Rounded snout.

One of the most widespread parrotfishes, but highly variable and some geographical forms that are probably subspecific.