The inscribed wrasse is a large species within its genus with the largest males measured at 325 mm in standard length;[3] it is said to reach 50 cm (20 in) in standard length.

The females are brown with white markings on their scales that create thin longitudinal stripes.

The males are bluish-grey in colour with the body showing an irregular pattern which resembles scribbles and which give rise to the species common and its specific name.

[4] The inscribed wrasses can be found around kelp beds on rocky reefs at depths around 17 m (56 ft).

[4] The inscribed wrasse was first formally described as Labrus inscriptus in 1848 by the Scottish naturalist John Richardson (1787-1865) with the type locality given as Norfolk Island.