Dipterocarpus stellatus grows as a tree up to 65 metres (200 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 1 metre (3 ft 3 in). Bark is pinkish brown. The fruits are spiraled, up to 5 cm (2 in) long. The specific epithet stellatus is from the Latin meaning "star-like", referring to its hairs. Habitat is mixed dipterocarp forest from sea-level to 800 metres (2,600 ft) altitude. D. stellatus is endemic to Borneo.