The Maldives consists of 20 natural atolls, along with a few islands and isolated reefs stretching from 7 degrees 10 minutes north to 0 degrees 45 minutes south. The largest of these atolls is Boduthiladhunmathi, while the atoll containing the most islands is Huvadhu.

Some atolls are in the form of a number of islands, and others in the form of isolated reefs, which could be classified as smaller atoll formations. All land above the surface in the Maldives is of coralline origin. The atolls of the Maldives form a quite regular chain and, especially in the northern and central atolls, an arrayed structure is apparent. There are broad and deep channels between some atolls. The origin of the word "atoll" itself is in the language of the Maldives. "Atoll" (from Dhivehi: atholhu) is now used in many languages worldwide.

The atolls of the Maldives are and were very dangerous for navigators due to their complexity. In 1834–1836, British captain Robert Moresby undertook the cartography of the Maldives, drawing the first accurate maritime charts of the atolls.

These Admiralty charts were printed as three separate large maps by the Hydrographic Service of the Royal Navy. Moresby's charts were also favoured by Maldivian pilots navigating through the treacherous waters of the atolls until the 1990s.

There are 27 Natural Atolls:

There are 4 other minor atolls:

There are 21 Administrative Atolls (17 Atoll Councils and 4 Cities):

Ihavandhippolhu Atoll is the northernmost atoll in the Maldives. It is a small natural atoll 22 kilometres (14 miles) in length.