The Admiralty provided general specifications, but each shipyard did their own detailed design so that ships often varied in size.

The ships displaced 772 long tons (784 t) at deep load and their crew numbered 72 officers and ratings.

The engines developed a total of 13,500 shaft horsepower (10,100 kW) and were designed for a speed of 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph).

[3] The Acorns had a range of 1,540 nautical miles (2,850 km; 1,770 mi) at a cruising speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).

[2] The primary armament of the ships consisted of a pair of BL 4-inch (102 mm) MK VIII guns in single, unprotected pivot mounts fore and aft of the superstructure.