In contrast to most therizinosaurids, "Erlikosaurus" was a small member reaching nearly in length and in mass. It had a well-developed beak at the snout tip and toothed jaws that were used for its herbivorous diet. The feet ended in four toes with the first one articulated to the ankle—in contrast to the vestigial first toe of most theropods. Like other therizinosaurids, "Erlikosaurus" had a large gut for food processing, strong arms ending in elongated claws, and a backwards directed pelvis.