They move on the same plane as the thumb, which helps them grasp branches and twigs. The second digit on the hand and foot are very short. The slender loris has small finger nails on its digits. The fur on its forearms, hands and feet is short.
Its coat is light red-brown or gray-brown on its back and dirty white on its chest and belly. The ears are large and round. It has a small, narrow lower jaw.
The eyes are surrounded by dark-brown to black circles of fur, while the bridge of the nose is white. They flank a long nose which ends in a heart-shaped knob.