Background: Despite remarkable progress in the reduction of under-five mortality, acute respiratory infection (ARI) is still one of the leading public health problems in developing countries, including Ethiopia. This study aims to assess the spatial distribution and determinant factors of ARI among under-five children in Ethiopia. Methods: The data were taken from the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS), conducted from January to June 2016 using a community-based cross-sectional study design. The study included a total of 7738 under-five children in the analysis. As a result, Spatial Analysis was performed to explore the spatial distribution, and Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models were used to determine the risk factors associated with the prevalence of ARI in Ethiopia. Result: In this study, the prevalence of ARI in the last two weeks prior to the time of survey among under-five children was 8.8%. The highest prevalence of acute respiratory infection was recorded in Tigray region (18.5%), whereas Benishangul-Gumuz region (2.5%) had the lowest. The spatial distribution of ARI in Ethiopia among under-five children was clustered (Global Moran’s I = 0.290897 1, p < 0.000). Bayesian random intercept model provided the best fit for the data under consideration. The selected model revealed that children who had diarrhea in the last two weeks (AOR = 5.46, 95% CI: 1.558-1.834), used unclean sources of fuel (AOR = 2.354, 95% CI: 0.513-1.177), were born very small (AOR = 1.244, 95% CI: 0.051-0.381), had mothers who were working (AOR = 1.411, 95% CI: 0.149-0.532), were wasted (AOR = 1.204, 95% CI: 0.070-0.298) were more likely to develop acute respiratory infection (ARI). In comparison to children aged 0-11 months, those aged 48–59 months had lower odds of having ARI in Ethiopia (AOR = 0.471, 95% CI: -0.440, -0.224). Conclusion : The findings of the study indicate that children who had diarrhea in the last two weeks, lived in households that used unclean sources of fuel, were born very small, had mothers who were working, or were wasted, were more likely to develop acute respiratory infection in Ethiopia. Public health officials, policymakers, and healthcare providers should develop targeted interventions and strategies to reduce the burden of ARIs and improve overall respiratory health across different regions.