Palaina capillacea, also known as the strong-bladed staircase snail, is a species of staircase snail that is endemic to Australia's Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea.

The pupiform shell of adult snails is 3.8–4.1 mm in height, with a diameter of 1.9–2.1 mm and a conical spire.

It has bold, closely spaced, axal ribs.

The circular aperture has a flared lip and an operculum is present.

The animal has a white body with dark grey cephalic tentacles and black eyes.