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Malang Regency is the second largest regency in East Java, Indonesia, with a total area of. It is rich in potential for agriculture, medicinal plants and tourism.

It had a population of 2,446,218 people at the 2010 census and 2,654,448 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2025 was 2,778,932. These figures do not include the areas and populations of the two autonomous cities of Malang and Batu which lie geographically within the regency, but are administratively independent. The capital of the regency is the town of Kepanjen.

Most of the population resides in the Greater Malang (Malang Raya) area, a metropolitan area that includes the cities of Malang and Batu and 21 other districts within the regency (plus one other adjacent district in Pasuruan Regency) in a valley between and south of the two cities. The distance between Malang and Batu is approximately 20 km. This metropolitan area covers 2,332.29 km2; it had a population of 2,325,109 at the 2010 census, rising to 3,096,425 as at the mid 2025 official estimates, with an average density of 1,327.6 per km2 (5,016/sq mile).

Historical and archaeological records from Hindu temples suggest that the Kanjuruhan Kingdom emerged in the region during the 8th and 9th centuries. An inscription on the Dinoyo shrine at Badhut places the shrine's inauguration on Friday, Legi 1st, Margasirsa 682 Saka in the Javanese calendar or November 28, 760 AD.

At one time, the Kanjuruhan kingdom was under the leadership of Akuwu Singhasari Ametung, who was married to Ken Dedes. At that time the Kingdom was under the rule of the Kingdom of Kediri, and the Singhasari Government Center was in Tumapel. Only after Ken Arok killed Akuwu Ametung and married Ken Dedes did the centre of control move to the Malang Kingdom, and this only after defeating the Kingdom of Kediri. Kediri at that time fell into the hands of Singhasari.

During its peak, the Mataram kingdom fell into the hands of Mataram, as well as the Kingdom of Majapahit. The government moved to Demak as Islam was introduced, brought by the Wali Songo. The government was then under the reign of Duke Ronggo Tohjiwo. In the time of the collapse, according to folklore, legendary heroes appeared against Raden Panji Pulongjiwo. He was caught by Mataram soldiers in the village now called Kepanjen Panggungrejo (Kepanji's). The destruction of the town was known as Malang Kutho Bedhah.

In the era of the Dutch East India Company, Malang was a base for the Trunojoyo resistance (1674-1680) against the Company-assisted Mataram. In the early nineteenth century, the government was headed by the Governor-General. The first Malang Regent was Raden Tumenggung Notodiningrat. He was appointed by the Dutch government by resolution of the Governor-General on 9 May 1820.

Since 1984, Malang Regency Hall has had a traditional ceremony, dating from the time of the Kanjuruhan Kingdom, wherein attendees are encouraged to wear traditional costumes of Malang.

Malang Regency has a tropical monsoon climate (Am) with moderate to little rainfall from June to September and heavy to very heavy rainfall from October to May. The following climate data is for the town of Kepanjen.