This diminutive butterfly has a wingspan of 3/4 – 1 1/4 inches and is readily identified by its gray and white checkered appearance. Dorsally, the background color can be dark gray to gray-brown with rows of squarish white spots. The wings near the base usually have bluish, hairy scales. The abdomen is covered with blue-gray hairs. The wing fringes are checkered gray and white. Ventrally, the forewing is similar to the top but paler. The hindwing is cream-colored to white and crossed with 4 rows of tan spots. The caterpillar is approximately 1 inch in length. It is green to pink, fuzzy and has numerous white speckles. It has gray-green and creamy lengthwise stripes and a black head. The hairs, while short, are longer than those of other open-winged skippers.