As with most rays, the body of this large stingray is flattened and disc-shaped, with the pectoral fins broadly expanded and joined to the head and body. The tail is distinctly demarcated from the disc-like body, relatively narrow, and about as long as the body length. The round ribbontail ray has a circular-shaped disc that has a mottled pattern of black, grey and white spots and blotches on its upper surface, while the tail is uniformly black behind the sting. The underside is pale, while the edges of the body disc and under-surface of the tail are a greyish-brown to black. A deep and prominent skin fold runs along the underside of the tail.