Shell small, 3.4-12 mm., elongate-fusiform, tall-spired, usually turreted, and with a narrow body-whorl, gradually tapered to a relatively short weakly notched anterior canal. Protoconch small, broadly conical, with a small smooth symmetrical nucleus, second whorl also smooth but much larger, the third whorl with fine axial riblets, gradually merging into the adult sculpture. Adult sculpture with the axials dominant and usually crossed by weak cords and fine threads. Aperture rather narrow, with a thin outer lip. Sinus a broad shallow excavation, occupying most of the shoulder slope. Colour ranging from white or uniform buff to subsutural maculations and obscure interrupted spiral lines.

Guraleus is reserved for species like the genotype, with turreted shells and their own peculiar protoconch. This is hardly polygyrate as stated by Powell, but may be described as having a small symmetrical nucleus, the next whorl much larger, not inflated, but rather flattened, the third whorl with fine axial sculpture merging into the mature sculpture. It is hard to say just where the protoconch ends. In the genotype there is even some variation in individual specimens, coarser sculpture, both axial and spiral, appearing on the third whorl, which then appears as part of the mature shell.
Euguraleus includes shells with a protoconch similar to Guraleus, but with fusiform shells and with rounded whorls or very slightly angulated on the shoulder.
Paraguraleus includes several small groups of species all with the same protoconch, asymmetrical and swollen.