 The shell of this winkle has about ten coarse spiral ribs on the last whorl, and has fine spiral microstriae in the gaps between the ribs.Occasionally this ribbing may be missing or it may be ribbed only at the base.The species with which it is most likely to be confused is "Littorina subrotundata " and comparison of the capsule gland of the pallial oviduct is the best way to distinguish between them.