These bats grow to an average length of 5 to 10 cm, and a weight of 10 to 85 g. The fur is colored brown or gray on the top; the bottom side is brighter.

The patagium, the skin between the legs, is very small, and they lack a tail – a general characteristic of the fruit bats.

The ears are acuminated and like many other leaf-nosed bats the nose bears a small, sharp leaf which is used for echolocation.

Some species use large leaves to form "tents", which provide shelter from the weather and hide them from predators.

Artibeus jamaicensis – the best studied species – forms groups, consisting of one to three males, three to 14 females, and the shared offspring.