The Chisel-toothed kangaroo rat is an intermediate-sized kangaroo rat with a narrow face, small ears, and flat-faced, nearly square-edged lower incisors shaped like miniature chisels. Among kangaroo rats, the cheek pouches in relation to the size of the head are exceptionally large.

The pelage on the dorsum is composed of hairs with medium-gray bases, a buffy band, and a tiny blackish tip, overall a dirty-sand color. The venter, upper lip, feet, and base and sides of the tail are white and there is a white spot above each eye and behind each ear. A black moustache, eyelids, ears and tail stripes complete the pelage of this strikingly marked small mammal.

In Oregon it occurs in Lake, Harney, and Malheur counties south of a line connecting Summer Lake, Malheur Lake, and Watson in the three counties, respectively. It is associated with shrub-dominated habitats.

It is nocturnal; activity begins at twilight until a time of about the same light intensity in the morning. The Chisel-toothed kangaroo rat constructs multi-entrance burrows with greasewood the dominant shrub at mound sites.