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where is kidney pain

Kidney pain is usually felt deep in your back, just under your ribcage, on one or both sides of your spine, and it can spread toward your side, lower belly, or groin.

Where kidney pain is felt

  • The typical spot is the flank: the area on either side of your spine between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips.
  • It often feels higher than most common lower back muscle pain and deeper inside the body rather than right on the surface.
  • You may feel it:
    • Just under the back part of your ribcage on the left, right, or both sides.
* Radiating or moving toward your side, front of the abdomen, groin, or even upper thigh.

A simple picture in words: imagine putting your hands on your lower ribs at the back, on either side of your spine—that’s roughly where kidney pain usually starts.

Kidney pain vs typical back pain

  • Kidney pain:
    • Higher up, in the flank area under the ribs.
* Often one-sided (left or right), but can be both.

* Can come with other symptoms like fever, nausea, burning when peeing, blood in urine, or needing to pee more often.
  • Muscle or spine back pain:
    • More often in the mid or lower back, not specifically under the ribs.
* Usually linked to movement, lifting, or posture and may improve or worsen with changing position.

When to seek urgent medical help

You should get urgent medical care (emergency or same‑day) if kidney-area pain comes with any of the following:

  • Fever, chills, or feeling very unwell.
  • Severe, sharp, or colicky pain that comes in waves (possible kidney stone).
  • Pain plus burning pee, blood in urine, or very frequent/urgent urination.
  • Pain with vomiting, dizziness, or trouble keeping fluids down.

Kidney pain can be caused by infections, kidney stones, blockages, or other kidney problems, so it should never be ignored.

If you’re currently having significant pain in this area or are worried it might be your kidneys, it’s safest to contact a doctor or urgent care as soon as you can for a proper exam. This information is general and not a substitute for in‑person medical advice.