Most ground beetles have broad, hard wing covers with many parallel, longitudinal ridges. The prothorax is usually narrower than the abdomen, and the head is still narrower and directed forward. Mandibles are sickle-like. The antennae are 11-segmented and attached between the eyes and the bases of the mandibles. Most are black or dull brown in color, but some are metallic greens or blues.
Some species have small, metallic spots of red or gold.
Length commonly varies from 10 to 20 mm. The head and thorax are narrower than the abdomen. The antennae are on the front of the head. The eggs of ground beetles and tiger beetles are small, oval, and cream-colored. They have large heads with sickle-shaped mandibles that are directed forward.