The side lobes of the pronotum are often patterned in a coarser brown and lined with a narrow, light colour and a central keel is apparent in the front half.

Like all representatives of the genus Platycleis, the species is almost always long-winged, the wings clearly protrude not only over the tip of the abdomen but also the rear knees when at rest.

[3][4] This species is very similar to P. albopunctata, which is practically identical in body shape and colour, and hybrids may also occur in the southern Alps.

[3] The song is also very similar, consisting of soft, four- to six-syllable chirping that continue for several minutes, which can only be heard from within a few metres.

As with the similar species, P. grisea prefers living in warm, dry grasslands and other habitats, often with patchy vegetation.