According to the taxonomy of the Gastropoda by Bouchet & Rocroi, 2005) the genus Calliotropis is placed in the subfamily Calliotropinae within the family Chilodontidae.
The size of the shell of species in this genus is small to moderate. The iridescent shell is thin and contains a conspicuous umbilicus. Its sculpture shows spiral rows with many tubercles.
The shells resemble Solariella, but differ in the radula, which is longer, with a larger number of uncini. The teeth of the median part are less denticulated.[4]