Where Is Kidney Pain Felt?
How to distinguish kidney pain from back pain and what it can indicate.
Last updated: 2026-09-24
Kidney pain is usually felt in the flank, below the ribs, on one or both sides, and may radiate towards the groin.
Kidney vs back pain
Muscle back pain worsens with movement and sits lower; kidney pain is deeper, higher, and does not ease with position.
Frequently asked questions
Can kidney disease cause pain?
Chronic kidney disease itself usually does not. Pain more often reflects stones, infection or obstruction.