The Atlantic Woodcreeper is distributed in north-east Brazil from Ceará to Alagoas. See the distribution map at Birdlife International. It is found in a variety of forest types.

Some authorities treat this species as a sub-species of Lesser Woodcreeper Xiphorhynchus fuscus. However, compared to that species it has a much darker throat and weaker looking streaks below. The voice is also different.