Cheesman's gerbil is a medium-sized gerbil species with a soft and silky coat. The dorsal side is a reddish orange. The cheeks are white, and there are white spots above the eyes and behind the ears. The undersides and lower flanks are pure white, clearly demarcated from the dorsal colour. The eyes are large and black. The long tail is reddish above, at least at the base, and the terminal tuft is absent or very sparse. The palms and soles of its feet are covered in fine white hairs.