Gymnocarpium robertianum has small (10–50 cm), deltate, two- to three-pinnate fronds.

Fronds arise from creeping rhizomes and have long, delicate rachis.

The sori are borne in round clumps on the underside of the blade and lack an indusium.

[4] Gymnocarpium robertianum is a circumboreal species with populations in Europe, North America and the Caucasus Mountains.

In the British Isles its preferential habitat is grykes in limestone pavement.