It has narrow, almost cylindrical leaves and up to four relatively small pale to deep pink flowers on a wiry, zig-zag stem.

The lobe on the top of the anther is short, erect, yellow and tapered.

[2][3][4][5] Thelymitra carnea was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown and the description was published in his book Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen.

[6] The specific epithet (carnea) is a Latin word meaning "of flesh" or "fleshy".

[7] The tiny sun orchid is widespread and common, usually growing in moist places with low shrubs, grasses and sedges but sometimes in drier habitats in open forest.