Not all spiders are big and scary—many are small, colorful, and often go unnoticed. Whether you’re spotting a tiny red dot in the garden or a green speck on a leaf, identifying these small spiders can help you understand which are harmless house guests and which are active hunters in your garden.
In this guide, you’ll discover 21 small spiders, grouped by color, to help you recognize and learn about the tiny eight-legged visitors around you.
1. Small Black Spiders
Small black spiders are common in homes and gardens. While their dark coloring may appear intimidating, most are harmless and even helpful in controlling insect populations.
1. Zebra Jumping Spider
The Zebra Jumping Spider (Salticus scenicus) is a small, energetic black-and-white patterned spider commonly found around homes and gardens. Known for its bold jumping behavior and keen eyesight, it’s not dangerous to humans but fascinating to observe due to its unique appearance and movements.
Identification
- Size: 5–9 mm long
- Color: Black body with distinct white stripes resembling a zebra
- Eye pattern: Large front-facing eyes
- Body shape: Compact and slightly flattened
Habitat
Zebra Jumping Spiders are often found on walls, fences, window sills, and tree bark. They prefer sunlit, open areas and are commonly seen indoors during warmer months.
Behavior and Movement
They do not build webs to catch prey; instead, they actively hunt by leaping onto insects. Their vision is excellent, allowing them to stalk prey like a cat. They can jump several times their body length.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Though they possess venom to subdue prey, their bites are extremely rare and harmless to humans. They are more likely to retreat than bite and are generally considered beneficial for pest control.
2. False Widow Spider
Often mistaken for the black widow, the False Widow (Steatoda grossa) is a small black spider with a glossy appearance and a reputation that’s often exaggerated. It’s frequently found indoors, especially in quiet, undisturbed areas.
Identification
- Size: 6–10 mm (females larger than males)
- Color: Shiny dark brown to black with light markings on the abdomen
- Body: Bulbous abdomen and long legs
- Web: Irregular, messy webs
Habitat
False Widows prefer dark corners in garages, sheds, or basements. Indoors, they hide behind furniture or in closets. They’re adaptable and can thrive in urban environments.
Behavior and Movement
These spiders stay within their web most of the time, waiting for insects to become trapped. They rarely move unless disturbed and typically do not bite unless provoked.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
While they have mild venom, bites are rare and symptoms are minor, such as slight swelling or redness. They’re not aggressive and avoid human contact.
3. Bold Jumping Spider
The Bold Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax) is another curious and active little hunter. Known for its shiny black body with white markings and often bright green fangs, it’s easy to spot in sunny areas.
Identification
- Size: 8–15 mm
- Color: Black with white or orange spots and iridescent green mouthparts
- Eyes: Large, forward-facing eyes
- Legs: Thick and strong, suited for jumping
Habitat
Common in gardens, walls, and sometimes indoors near windows, they enjoy warm, open areas where prey is plentiful.
Behavior and Movement
These spiders don’t use webs to hunt. Instead, they pounce on prey using precise vision and powerful jumps. They are curious and may even seem to observe humans.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Non-aggressive and harmless to humans, their bite is rare and usually feels like a tiny pinch. Their venom is not medically significant and they help control household pests.
2. Small Red Spiders
Small red spiders often stand out due to their bright coloration. Some are true spiders, while others, like velvet mites, are often mistaken for spiders. Most are harmless and found both indoors and in gardens.
4. Red House Spider
The Red House Spider (Nesticodes rufipes) is a small reddish spider commonly seen in homes, especially in warm climates. It builds messy webs and tends to stay hidden in dark corners.
Identification
- Size: 4–7 mm
- Color: Reddish to rust-colored body
- Abdomen: Rounded and darker than the legs
- Web: Irregular and tangled
Habitat
They prefer undisturbed indoor areas—such as under furniture, in closets, or around window frames. Outdoors, they hide under eaves or inside sheds.
Behavior and Movement
These spiders are not aggressive and rarely leave their web. They feed on small insects caught in their sticky webs and tend to avoid confrontation.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Bites are extremely rare and mild if they occur. Their venom is not harmful to humans, and they are generally considered a harmless indoor spider.
5. Red Jumping Spider
The Red Jumping Spider (Phidippus cardinalis) is an eye-catching species known for its vivid red coloration and active hunting behavior. It’s often found on plants or sunlit walls.
Identification
- Size: 5–12 mm
- Color: Bright red body with black legs and markings
- Eyes: Large, forward-facing eyes typical of jumping spiders
- Appearance: Compact body with bold colors
Habitat
These spiders are usually found on vegetation, window ledges, and walls, especially in sunny or warm environments. They’re commonly seen in southern regions of the U.S.
Behavior and Movement
Red Jumping Spiders don’t use webs for hunting. They stalk and pounce on prey with speed and accuracy, using excellent vision. Their movements are quick and jerky.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
They are not dangerous to humans. While they have venom for subduing insects, their bite is harmless and rarely occurs unless they feel threatened.
6. Velvet Mite (Spider-Like Arachnid)
Velvet mites, while not true spiders, are often mistaken for them due to their red color and small size. These fuzzy creatures are beneficial soil dwellers and not harmful to people.
Identification
- Size: 1–3 mm
- Color: Bright red with a velvety body
- Legs: 8 legs but shorter and stubbier than spiders
- Body: Rounded and plush-looking
Habitat
Usually found in soil, leaf litter, and gardens after rainfall. They may occasionally wander indoors but prefer outdoor environments.
Behavior and Movement
Velvet mites are solitary and slow-moving. They help decompose organic matter and control insect eggs and larvae in the soil.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
They do not bite and are entirely harmless to humans. Though not spiders, they are often included in discussions about small red spider-like creatures seen around the home.
3. Small White Spiders
Small white spiders often blend into their surroundings, especially among flowers or pale walls. Their coloration helps with camouflage, and most are harmless ambush hunters or web builders.
7. Goldenrod Crab Spider (White Morph)
The Goldenrod Crab Spider (Misumena vatia) is famous for its ability to change color between white and yellow. The white morph is commonly found on light-colored flowers, where it waits to ambush prey.
Identification
- Size: 5–11 mm (females larger)
- Color: Pure white body, sometimes with faint red markings
- Legs: Crab-like, held sideways
- Body: Wide, flat, and round
Habitat
They live on flowers like daisies and goldenrods. Indoors, they may appear near window plants or fresh-cut flowers brought inside.
Behavior and Movement
These spiders don’t spin webs to catch food. Instead, they sit still and wait for insects to land nearby. Their crab-like movement helps them reposition quickly.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Non-aggressive and not dangerous. Bites are extremely rare and typically only occur if the spider is pressed against the skin.
8. White Jumping Spider
The White Jumping Spider (Colonus puerperus) is a small, pale-colored hunter known for quick reflexes and large eyes. It’s less common than other jumping spiders but can be seen on walls or furniture.
Identification
- Size: 4–8 mm
- Color: Light gray to white, sometimes translucent
- Eyes: Prominent front-facing eyes
- Body: Compact with a soft appearance
Habitat
Found on walls, ceilings, and indoor plants. Outdoors, they hide in tree bark or under eaves. They like bright spaces where prey insects are active.
Behavior and Movement
These spiders don’t use webs to catch food. They actively stalk and jump on their prey, using excellent vision and precise timing.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Completely harmless to people. Even if handled, they rarely bite, and any bite would be mild and non-serious.
9. Ghost Spider
Ghost Spiders (family Anyphaenidae) are pale or whitish spiders that are nocturnal and hard to spot. They’re fast movers and tend to live in cracks or behind furniture.
Identification
- Size: 4–10 mm
- Color: Pale cream to translucent white
- Body: Slender with long legs
- Appearance: Subtle markings, often mistaken for phantoms due to speed and color
Habitat
They hide in crevices, behind curtains, or in baseboards. Outdoors, they may nest under leaves or bark.
Behavior and Movement
Ghost spiders are active at night and hunt instead of building webs. They move quickly and can disappear into small cracks in seconds.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Not harmful to humans. Their venom is used for catching prey and poses no danger. They are elusive and typically avoid contact.
4. Small Yellow Spiders
Small yellow spiders are often flower dwellers or active hunters that use their color as camouflage. Despite their bright hue, they are rarely aggressive and mostly go unnoticed unless seen in full sunlight or on light surfaces.
10. Yellow Crab Spider
The Yellow Crab Spider (Thomisus spectabilis) is a striking flower spider known for its wide, flattened body and crab-like stance. It’s often seen on bright-colored flowers, blending in perfectly with yellow petals.
Identification
- Size: 6–10 mm
- Color: Bright yellow with short, thick legs
- Body: Wide and flat with a slightly rounded abdomen
- Legs: Held outward like a crab
Habitat
Commonly found in gardens, especially on yellow flowers like sunflowers or marigolds. Indoors, they may appear on potted plants or window ledges.
Behavior and Movement
This spider is an ambush hunter. It doesn’t use webs to catch prey but waits patiently for insects to land nearby. Its sideways movement resembles a crab.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Their venom is only effective on small insects and poses no threat to humans. Bites are extremely rare and harmless.
11. Flower Crab Spider (Yellow Morph)
Another color variant of the Goldenrod Crab Spider (Misumena vatia), the yellow morph blends into yellow flowers, especially daisies and buttercups, making it an efficient predator of pollinators.
Identification
- Size: 5–11 mm
- Color: Bright yellow body, occasionally with pink or red side stripes
- Legs: Flattened and extended outward
- Shape: Round and wide abdomen
Habitat
Found in meadows and gardens, usually hiding on yellow flowers. Indoors, it’s rarely seen unless brought in with flower bouquets.
Behavior and Movement
It uses stillness and camouflage to catch insects like bees and butterflies. It moves slowly and changes color gradually to match the flower it inhabits.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Mild venom for insects only. They are non-aggressive toward humans and pose no medical threat.
12. Yellow Sac Spider
The Yellow Sac Spider (Cheiracanthium inclusum) is a pale yellow to greenish spider known to build small silken sacs in hidden areas. It’s more active at night and can be found both inside and outside homes.
Identification
- Size: 5–10 mm
- Color: Pale yellow or yellow-green
- Body: Slender with a slightly elongated abdomen
- Legs: Long and thin, with dark tips
Habitat
They make silk sacs in corners of ceilings, behind furniture, or under leaves outdoors. They prefer warm, sheltered areas and often appear indoors in colder seasons.
Behavior and Movement
They are fast-moving, nocturnal hunters and do not use webs to catch prey. During the day, they hide in their sacs, coming out at night to hunt.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Their bite can cause mild irritation or redness in some people, but they are not aggressive. Most bites happen when they are accidentally pressed against the skin during sleep or dressing.
5. Small Green Spiders
Small green spiders are masters of camouflage, blending seamlessly with leaves, stems, and grass. Many are beneficial predators that help control garden pests and are rarely noticed due to their natural coloring.
13. Green Lynx Spider
The Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans) is a bright, vivid green hunter often found among shrubs and flowering plants. It’s fast, agile, and well-camouflaged in vegetation.
Identification
- Size: 12–22 mm (females larger)
- Color: Bright green body with red spots and transparent legs
- Body: Long and slender with sharp spines on legs
- Eyes: Eight small eyes in two rows
Habitat
Typically found on shrubs, flowers, and tall grasses. It prefers sunny outdoor environments like gardens, meadows, and fields.
Behavior and Movement
The Green Lynx is an ambush predator that relies on speed and stealth to capture prey. It doesn’t spin webs to trap insects but uses silk to anchor itself while stalking.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
It has venom to immobilize prey but is not dangerous to humans. Bites are rare and may cause mild irritation if they occur.
14. Cucumber Green Spider
The Cucumber Green Spider (Araniella cucurbitina) is a small orb-weaver with a shiny green body and a neat web structure. It is a common garden spider in Europe and North America.
Identification
- Size: 4–8 mm
- Color: Lime green abdomen with a red spot at the rear
- Legs: Pale green or yellowish
- Web: Small, circular orb webs
Habitat
They live on shrubs, garden plants, and trees. You’ll often find them hiding beneath leaves or in flower beds.
Behavior and Movement
They spin small webs among leaves to catch tiny flying insects. They are shy and will retreat if disturbed, often hiding on the underside of leaves.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Not aggressive, and their venom is harmless to humans. They are excellent for natural pest control in gardens.
15. Green Jumping Spider
The Green Jumping Spider (Lyssomanes viridis) is a bright, leaf-colored spider known for its large eyes and active hunting style. It’s often found in southeastern parts of the United States.
Identification
- Size: 5–7 mm
- Color: Light green with translucent legs and sometimes orange around the eyes
- Eyes: Prominent, forward-facing
- Body: Slim with long legs
Habitat
They prefer leaves of broadleaf plants, shrubs, and indoor potted plants with good sunlight. They thrive in warm, humid environments.
Behavior and Movement
Like other jumping spiders, they don’t spin webs to catch prey. They rely on vision and agility to leap on small insects.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
They are harmless to people and bites are nearly nonexistent. Their presence is often unnoticed unless closely observed on leaves.
6. Small House Spiders
Small house spiders are the most commonly encountered types indoors. They usually reside in corners, ceilings, or behind furniture. These spiders are harmless to humans and help reduce other insect populations in the home.
16. Common House Spider
The Common House Spider (Parasteatoda tepidariorum) is the tiny weaver most people notice in ceiling corners or near windows. It builds tangled webs and usually stays hidden unless disturbed.
Identification
- Size: 4–9 mm
- Color: Brownish to gray with dull patterning
- Body: Rounded abdomen, long thin legs
- Web: Messy cobweb structure
Habitat
Found in almost every room—corners, basements, attics, and behind furniture. They prefer quiet, undisturbed areas indoors.
Behavior and Movement
They stay in their webs, waiting for insects to get trapped. They may drop or retreat if disturbed and rarely leave their hiding spot unless chasing prey.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Completely harmless to humans. Bites are extremely rare and only occur when pressed against the skin.
17. Southern House Spider
The Southern House Spider (Kukulcania hibernalis) is often mistaken for the brown recluse due to its coloring. Males roam in search of mates, while females stay in funnel-like webs.
Identification
- Size: 9–18 mm
- Color: Dark brown or gray
- Body: Elongated with fine hairs
- Web: Funnel-shaped silk structure
Habitat
Commonly found in cracks, corners, or behind wall hangings in southern U.S. homes. Males may be seen wandering indoors, especially at night.
Behavior and Movement
Females are web-bound and reclusive. Males wander in search of mates and may accidentally enter bathtubs or sinks. They’re slow but persistent walkers.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Not aggressive. Bites are very rare and usually happen when the spider is accidentally trapped. Reactions are mild and not dangerous.
18. Cellar Spider (Daddy Long Legs)
The Cellar Spider (Pholcus phalangioides) is known for its extremely long, delicate legs and its habit of hanging upside-down in corners. It’s commonly seen in basements or bathrooms.
Identification
- Size: Body 2–10 mm, legs much longer
- Color: Pale gray or tan
- Body: Small oval body, long thin legs
- Web: Loose, irregular structure
Habitat
Often found in basements, ceilings, under sinks, and in bathroom corners. They prefer dark, damp, and undisturbed areas.
Behavior and Movement
They vibrate rapidly in their web when disturbed to confuse predators. They feed on small insects and even other spiders, making them beneficial indoors.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Harmless to humans. Despite myths, their venom is weak and their fangs can’t penetrate human skin effectively.
7. Small Orange Spiders
Small orange spiders are often seen in gardens, forests, or on outdoor walls. Their vibrant coloration makes them stand out, especially during autumn. While some can look alarming, they are generally harmless and useful for insect control.
19. Marbled Orb-Weaver (Orange Morph)
The Marbled Orb-Weaver (Araneus marmoreus) is a stunning spider with bright orange coloring and a marbled pattern on its large abdomen. It builds classic round webs in gardens and wooded areas.
Identification
- Size: 9–20 mm
- Color: Bright orange with marbled black, white, or yellow patterns on the abdomen
- Body: Round and bulbous abdomen, short legs
- Web: Circular orb web, usually vertical
Habitat
Found in shrubs, between tree branches, or near outdoor lights where insects gather. Rarely seen indoors unless accidentally carried in.
Behavior and Movement
They construct large orb-shaped webs and typically hide nearby in a retreat during the day, coming out at night to catch flying insects.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Not aggressive. Bites are very rare and only occur if handled. Their venom is not harmful to humans and may cause only slight irritation.
20. Pumpkin Spider
The Pumpkin Spider (Araneus trifolium) gets its name from its bright orange, pumpkin-like color. It’s most noticeable in the fall, often found on garden plants and fences.
Identification
- Size: 7–18 mm
- Color: Solid orange to reddish-orange, with faint markings
- Abdomen: Large, rounded and pumpkin-shaped
- Web: Orb-shaped web up to 2 feet wide
Habitat
Lives in meadows, flower gardens, and woodland edges. During fall, it’s more visible due to its bright coloring and larger webs.
Behavior and Movement
An orb-weaver that rebuilds its web daily. It hides in leaves or nearby retreats during the day and sits in the center of its web at night.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Their bite is harmless and only used for subduing prey. They are shy and avoid humans.
21. Woodlouse Spider
The Woodlouse Spider (Dysdera crocata) is a striking reddish-orange spider with powerful fangs used to prey on woodlice. Unlike web builders, it hunts directly on the ground.
Identification
- Size: 9–15 mm
- Color: Orange-red cephalothorax with pale abdomen
- Legs: Orange and smooth
- Fangs: Large and forward-pointing
Habitat
Found under logs, stones, bricks, and sometimes indoors in basements or cellars. Prefers moist, hidden areas where woodlice live.
Behavior and Movement
A ground hunter that does not use webs. It chases and grabs its prey using powerful jaws. Mostly active at night.
Venom and Interaction with Humans
Its bite can be painful due to its large fangs but is not medically dangerous. Some mild redness or swelling may occur, but symptoms go away quickly.
