ObjectiveWeight at birth is a good indicator of the newborn’s chances for survival, growth, long-term health and psychosocial development. Therefore, the aimed of this study is to assess the prevalence and associated factors of low birth weight in Axum town, Tigray, North Ethiopia.ResultThe magnitude of low birth weight was 8.8%. Height of mother adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.607 (CI 1.34–15.8), gestational age AOR 4.7 (CI 1.08–20.44), anti-natal care (ANC) visit AOR 0.076 (CI 0.009–0.645), anemia during pregnancy AOR 14.5 (CI 3.821–55.6) and drinking alcohol AOR 6.4 (CI 1.235–33.94) were found to be significantly associated with low birth weight. Pre-conceptual counseling on nutrition, about the effect of short suture on birth outcome and personal maternal habit (drinking alcohol), effective treatment and prevention of anemia and awareness on the importance ANC follow up should be the target.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3801-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.