The dark-eared or masked tree frog occurs in lowland rainforest, and can be found adjacent to small pools and puddles in flooded forest areas.

It can be identified on the basis of the broad, dark stripe extending from behind the eye and along as much as one-third of the flank. The stripe may thin posteriorly, or even break into separate patches.

The dorsal skin is mottled pale to medium brown, and the underside pale. The lips are pale with no barring. As with other Polypedates species, the hind feet are extensively webbed, and the fore feet largely unwebbed. It builds foam nests.

The species ranges from Peninsular Malaysia (and possibly southern Thailand) to Sumatra, Borneo and parts of the southern Philippines. It does not occur in Singapore.