Dipterocarpus fagineus grows as a medium-sized tree up to 45 m (150 ft) tall, with a trunk diameter of up to 1 m (3 ft). The bark is greyish brown. The fruits are roundish to ellipsoid, up to 1 cm (0.4 in) long. The specific epithet fagineus is from the Latin meaning 'like a beech'. Its habitat is mixed dipterocarp forest on hills. Dipterocarpus fagineus is native to Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.