It is one of the largest known carnivorous theropods, and the holotype has been estimated to have been in length and up to 6ST in weight.
Zhuchengtyrannus can be distinguished from all other tyrannosaurines by a single autapomorphy, the presence of a horizontal shelf on the lateral surface of the base of the ascending process of the maxilla, and a rounded notch in the anterior margin of the maxillary fenestra.