Chromists vary from single-celled organisms to giant multicellular seaweeds. Many have chloroplasts, which were originally derived from an enclosed red alga, but have their own distinct pigments and are usually yellowish or brown. These are characteristically surrounded by one or two extra membranes, not free in the cell like in true plants.

Some of these algae have cell walls, including larger plant-like kinds like kelp, but others have inorganic shells, scales, or lack cell coverings. These include some cells with mixed nutrition, engulfing smaller bacteria and flagellates to supplement photosynthesis with nutrients like nitrogen.

Other chromists lack chloroplasts and feed by ingestion or absorption, including many traditionally considered protozoans. In several groups prey are captured using temporary projections, called pseudopodia, which are typically thread- or needle-like. Some others have a definite cell mouth or live as parasites.

These mainly include the cryptomonads, small cells with two flagella inserted on the edge of a groove or pocket. Each has one or two plastids, which may have several different colours. These are unusual in retaining a degenerate nucleus and starch grains from the original red alga, which are missing in other chromists.

Haptista are single cells with adhesive projections and often scales, separated into mostly marine algae and mostly freshwater heliozoans. The latter are round amoebae with no plastids or flagella, relying on radiate projections in the form of needle-like axopodia to slowly move about and capture food.

This same basic form has appeared in a few different groups of chromists. Centrohelea here have relatively fine axopodia connected to a central granule, and in most the cell is covered by various scales, spicules, or a gelatinous coat.

Cercozoa are mainly flagellates and amoebae that use thin projections to collect food. These generally take the form of thread-like filopodia, though some have axopodia or other forms. Most move along surfaces, either by using a trailing flagellum for gliding or by dragging the cell body forward.

Imbricatea have a cell covering of silicate scales. Along with some small flagellates, they include the Euglyphida, filose amoebae where these scales are assembled into a shell. The cell extends through a single opening for movement and feeding, and ultimately forms a matching shell outside it before dividing.

Miozoa are a large group of parasites and related flagellates. They have vesicles called alveoli supporting the cell membrane, shared by ciliates, and often an apical structure variously adapted to infecting, sucking fluids from, or ingesting other cells. Plastids are common but photosynthesis is rare except in dinoflagellates.

Most dinoflagellates have two flagella set in grooves. One, the cingulum, runs around the cell so the flagellum propels it with a characteristic whirling motion. The other runs to the posterior with the flagellum serving in steering. Chloroplasts are mostly golden-brown, and some also have armour plates formed within the alveoli.