Gonystylus borneensis grows as a tree up to 35 metres (115 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 60 centimetres (24 in). Bark is greyish brown. Fruit is round, brown, up to 7 centimetres (2.8 in) in diameter. Habitat is forest from sea-level to 500 metres (1,600 ft) altitude. G. borneensis is endemic to Borneo.