The taxonomy of the Gastropoda by Bouchet & Rocroi, 2005[3] categorizes Aporrhaidae as marine gastropod mollusks in the clade Littorinimorpha.

[4] Aporrhaids have a large lip with finger-like extensions, and a small operculum.

[5] The mollusk has one narrow foot, which renders its motion interrupted as the foot must raise the shell a tiny bit in each single movement, simultaneously pushing it forward.

[6] Aporrhaidae live on muddy and sandy bottoms, sometimes in very large populations.

Subfamilies in the family Aporrhaidae include: There are only two Recent genera:[7][8] Fossil genera within the family Aporrhaidae include: