Studies on the spatial heterogeneity of soil nutrients in the Mu Us Desert-Loess Plateau Transition Zone will improve our understanding of the mechanisms driving land desertification. We investigated the spatial variability characteristics of three soil nutrients in the Mu Us Desert-Loess Plateau Transition Zone by using semivariogram analysis and the ordinary kriging method.The results indicated that the average total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), and available potassium(K) contents were 0.39 g/kg, 9.65 mg/kg, and 106.84 mg/kg, respectively. Total nitrogencontent had the largest variation coefficient range (40.54%-84.62%), whereas K had the smallest.The semivariogram analysis showed that the content variations for all three nutrients were the best described by a Gaussian distribution model and that the spatial autocorrelations decreased as the distance increased.The (C₀/C₀+C) ratios were 0.09%-32.82%for the three soil nutrients.The N and P contents showed strong spatial autocorrelation, but the K contents only showed a modest degree of autocorrelation. The ordinary kriging method was used to estimate unmeasured points and interpolation maps were obtained. All threesoil nutrient contents were more concentrated on the lower terrain. Total nitrogenhad a scattered "fertile islands" distribution, whereas P and K had a banded, continuous distribution. The heterogeneity of the soil nutrients in the Mu Us Desert-Loess Plateau Transition Zone was influenced by terrain, landscape, plant distribution, and other non-natural factors, but the terrain had the highest impact. From a practical application perspective, this study provides a theoretical basis for future land engineering and ecosystem restoration programs.