There are over 20,000 species in this order. Over 1,000 species are found in North America. Most species are herbivores.

Species in this order range in size from less than an inch in length to over four inches in length. Most of the species in this family have powerful rear legs that are adapted for jumping.

The insects in this order have two pairs of wings. The forewings are narrow and thick and fold back to protect the more delicate hind wings when the insect is not in flight. In many species in this family, males court females with a chirping sound they produce by rubbing their wings together or by rubbing their rear legs against their wings.