Quercus lyrata is a medium-sized deciduous tree, growing to 20 meters (66 feet) tall, with a trunk up to 80 cm (31 in) in diameter, or rarely to 140 cm (55 in).
The leaves are 10–16 cm (4–61⁄4 in) long, or rarely to 20 cm (73⁄4 in), and 5–10 cm (2–4 in) broad, deeply lobed, often somewhat lyre-shaped (lyrate), dark green above, paler and often finely hairy beneath.