Aims Soil stoichiometry serves as a critical framework for elucidating nutrient cycling, ecosystem dynamics and biogeochemical processes. However, the mechanisms governing the stoichiometry of topsoil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and total potassium (TK) in response to climatic, vegetation, soil texture and geographic variables in the Otindag Sandy Land remain poorly characterized. Methods Concentrations and stoichiometric ratios of SOC, TN, TP and TK in topsoil (0-20 cm) were quantified from 60 plots. The influences of potential driving factors were analyzed utilizing analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey's post hoc test, linear regression, redundancy analysis (RDA), Pearson's correlation, canonical analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM). Results Thesoils in the Otindag Sandy Land presented low SOC (2.30 mgg(-1)), TN (0.23 mgg(-1)) and TP (0.13 mgg(-1)) concentrations, and low stoichiometric ratios (SOC: TN = 9.59, SOC: TP = 17.49, SOC: TK = 0.09, TN: TP = 1.75, TN: TK = 0.01 and TP: TK = 0.01). These results showed significant spatial variability (P < 0.05). Climate and vegetation are the main determinants of SOC, TN, TP and TK stoichiometry. Conclusions Geographic variables, specifically longitude (LON) and elevation (ELE), indirectly regulate the stoichiometry of SOC, TN, TP, and/or TK by affecting climate, soil texture, and/or vegetation. Our findings enhance the understanding of how climate change impacts topsoil stoichiometry in the Otindag Sandy Land and provide insights to support ecological restoration in this region.