This is considered an economically important species in the Indo-West Pacific, where it is usually collected both for food and for shell trading.

The shell is colored white or cream, with several longitudinal brown lines, which are sometimes interrupted by circular empty spaces.

Both the ventral side of the shell and the labral teeth may vary greatly in color, assuming shades of white or cream, or even purple, brown, orange[3] or pink.

It is present in many regions, including East Africa, Madagascar, southeastern Red Sea, eastern Polynesia, southern Japan, Australia and New Caledonia.

[8] The map cowry lives in the intertidal and sublittoral zones, usually in coral reef areas, dwelling under slabs and stones at depths of 45 m.[3] The flesh of the map cowry is edible, and it is commonly collected by local fishermen for food and shell trading wherever it occurs.