Reticulated flatwoods salamanders are moderately-sized, slender salamanders with relatively short, pointed snouts and stout tails. Their heads are small and approximately equal in width to the neck and shoulder region. They weigh 1-12g. Their bodies are black to chocolate-black with fine, irregular, light gray lines or specks that form a reticulate or cross-banded pattern across the back in adults and a scattered and "lichen-like" pattern in recently metamorphosed individuals. Melanistic, uniformly black individuals have been reported. The underside is dark gray to black with a scattering of gray spots or flecks.