The adult central newt is a small, slender aquatic salamander without external gills or costal grooves (vertical grooves along the sides). The back is olive brown and the belly bright orange yellow. The dark color of the back and the yellow of the belly are distinctly separated along the sides of the body. Some very small red spots ringed with black may be along the back on both sides of the spine. Numerous small black spots usually cover the body; the black spots may be somewhat larger on the belly than on the back. A dark line runs from the nostril through the eye to the forelimbs. The eyes are often orange yellow.

For a couple of years in the middle (“eft”) stage of their life cycle, central newts live on land. Efts are dull brown to reddish brown or cream-colored, with a rounded tail and rough, almost bumpy skin. The youngest, larval individuals are aquatic and have gills. Upon hatching, they are about ¼ inch long.