State Route 47 is a 43-mile (69 km) long route in the southern part of the state. The southern terminus of the route is at its junction with U.S. Highway 84 at Mexia in Monroe County, and the northern terminus of the route is at its junction with State Route 10 at Awin in Wilcox County.

Although the route is signed “north–south’’, the initial trajectory of State Route 47 is eastward as it leads from its point of origin towards Monroeville. At Monroeville, the route turns northward as it begins a 22-mile (35 km) long concurrence with State Route 21 leading towards Beatrice.

At Beatrice, State Routes 21 and 47 junction State Route 265 and turn eastward as they lead towards Riley, where State Route 21 turns northward and State Route 47 continues eastward towards Midway. At Midway, the route junctions State Route 83 and turns northeastward as it leads to its northern terminus at Awin.