[1] They are small to moderate sized spiders, about 2 to 20 millimetres (0.079 to 0.787 in) long combined head and body length, depending on the species.

This gives a scurrying, wheel-like impression that is characteristic of many Oecobiidae, and is helpful as a rough aid to identification in the field.

Typical colour patterns range from dark-patterned cream in some smaller species, to a small number of symmetrically placed, conspicuous round light spots (commonly yellow or white) on a background that may be anything from a dull orange colour to black.

The carapace is rounded and bears a compact group of six to eight eyes medially situated near the front of its dorsal surface.

[2] Some of the Oecobiidae build tiny webs close to the ceilings in people's homes, which might have something to do with the family name (Oeco biidae meaning in essence "those who are house-living"[3]).