The genus Hipposideros has body lengths ranging from 35-110 mm, tail lengths from 18-70 mm, and forearm lengths of about 33-105 mm. Adult H. armiger weights are between 40-60 grams. Color ranges from reddish to a shade of brown on the upperparts and paler underparts.

Roosts for H. armiger are generally found in hollow trees, caves and buildings. They tend to fly at lower elevations than most bats and catch insects such as beetles, termites, and cockroaches, locating the insects by their calls. Once the prey is caught, H. armiger returns to the roost to eat and has specific feeding territories that it patrols regularly.

There are two breeding periods for H. armiger, pregnant females have been recorded in February - May and September - October.

H. armiger is found in N India, Nepal, Burma, S and SE China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malay Peninsula, and Taiwan.