Objective To explore the mediating effect of intrinsic capacity on the relationship between external environment and life-space mobility in community-dwelling older adults, in order to provide a reference for developing targeted intervention. Methods From April to June 2024, a cluster random sampling method was employed to select 517 older adults from 12 communities in Yanji City, then they were investigated by using a general information questionnaire, the Life Space Assessment (LSA), and various Intrinsic Capacity Assessment tools, including the Cornell Medical Index, Mini-Mental State Examination, Barthel Index, Mini Nutritional Assessment, and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, as well as an external environment assessment tool. Results The incidence of limited life-space mobility in the participants was 61.51%, with an average score of (54.07±30.38) points in LSA. The score for intrinsic capacity was (194.58±27.73) points, and it was(80.60±11.69) points for external environment. Life-space mobility was positively correlated with both external environment and intrinsic capacity, and external environment was positively correlated with intrinsic capacity (all P<0.05). External environment positively influenced life-space mobility, intrinsic capacity served as a partial mediator between external environment and life-space mobility, with a mediating effect of 0.240, accounting for 43.40% of the total effect. Conclusion Life-space mobility among community-dwelling older adults is at a moderate to low level, and intrinsic capacity serves as a partial mediator between external environment and life-space mobility. Community healthcare personnel should prioritize enhancing intrinsic capacity through targeted interventions, and develop perso-nalized program based on the characteristics of their external environment and various stages of intrinsic capacity development, so as to promote social participation of the older adults.