Sphyraena sphyraena has an oblong body with an elongated jaw, the lower jaw is projecting and contains strong canine-like teeth. Typically, the European barracuda is 30-60cm in length, but it has a maximum length of 160cm. The preoperculum is entirely covered by scales and the gillrakers are absent.

The pelvic fin is positioned below the first dorsal fin, although the pectoral fins’ tips do not extend to the pelvic fins. The lateral line has 125-145 scales, with 13-14 scales found above the lateral line. The colouration of the body is dark from above and silvery from below with no prominent cross-bars visible.

The European barracuda is one of approximately 26 species in the genus Sphyraena; Sphyraena obtusata and Sphyraena viridensis are two species of the genus that are also found within the Mediterranean and they are also not evaluated under the IUCN Red List.