Acanthocalycium klimpelianum grows individually with flattened spherical instincts and reach diameters of up to 10 centimeters. There are about 19 sharp fins present which are slightly indented. The elliptic areolas are yellowish brown and up to 6 millimeters long. The one to four central spines are straight, subulate and brownish. The lowest of them is directed downwards. The six to ten spines are of unequal length.
The white flowers have a length 3-4 centimeters.