Dipterocarpus sublamellatus grows as a large tree up to 70 metres (230 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 3 metres (10 ft). Bark is orange-brown. The fruits are round, up to 3 cm (1 in) in diameter. It is found in a variety of now vulnerable habitats from sea-level to 400 metres (1,300 ft) altitude. D. sublamellatus is native to Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.