Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 293 K; mean (C-C) = 0.004 Å; R factor = 0.023; wR factor = 0.061; data-to-parameter ratio = 11.4.In the title compound, [MnCl 2 (C 3 H 7 NO 2 ) 2 ], the Mn II ion is bound to two Cl atoms and to four O atoms from two lactamide molecules which act as bidentate ligands, giving rise to a highly distorted octahedral coordination geometry. The