The town lies on the north shore of the Firth of Forth. The former burghs of Linktown and Pathhead, and the villages of Sinclairtown and Gallatown are now incorporated into Kirkcaldy. The burgh of Dysart was merged into Kirkcaldy in 1930.

Kirkcaldy was famous throughout much of the 19th and 20th Centuries for linoleum manufacturing, notably Nairn's, linked with Dundee jute imports; linen produced from local flax; and for its annual week-long Links Market - Europe's longest street fair - that celebrated its 700th anniversary in 2004.

Kirkcaldy town centre was designated a conservation area in 1980 and amongst many interesting buildings are the Old Kirk (Old Parish Church) with its late medieval tower, 15th-century Ravenscraig Castle, 17th-century Sailor's Walk, Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery, the Nordic style Town House designed in 1937 by David Carr, Dunnikier House (built in the 1790s and now a hotel) and St Brycedale Church (1877-81).

The ‘Father of Modern Economics’ Adam Smith was born in Kirkcaldy and has a college and theatre named after him in recognition of his achievements.

The town has two shopping centres,The Postings and The Mercat both of which have many high street retailers as well as local businesses.

Kirkcaldy is known as The Lang Toun (Long Town) in Scots. This name derived from the original expansion of the town in a thin strip parallel to the sea front.