The cross was designed by the sculptor Paul-Albert Bartholomé.
It is 37 mm wide, Florentine bronze cross pattée, with two crossed swords pointing up between the arms.
The obverse centre medallion bears the relief image of the French Republic in the form of the bust of a young woman wearing a Phrygian cap surrounded by the circular relief inscription RÉPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE (FRENCH REPUBLIC).
 Not knowing how long the war would last, the reverse centre medallion bears the dates 1914–1915, 1914–1916, 1914–1917 and finally 1914–1918.

The cross is suspended by a ring through a suspension loop cast atop the upper cross arm.
 It hangs from a 37 mm wide green silk moiré ribbon with seven narrow 1,5 mm wide vertical red stripes evenly spaced and two 1 mm red edge stripes.

The lowest degree is represented by a bronze star and the highest degree is represented by a silver palm.
 The cross was worn with the appropriate attachments to signify the singular or multiple awards of the decoration.

Bronze star (étoile de bronze): for those who were mentioned at the regiment or brigade level.

Silver star (étoile d'argent): for those who were cited at the division level.

Silver gilt star (étoile vermeil): for those who were cited at the corps level.

Bronze palm (palme de bronze): for those who were cited at the army level.

Silver palm (palme d'argent): could be worn in lieu of five bronze palms.
The cross was designed by the sculptor Paul-Albert Bartholomé. It is 37 mm wide, Florentine bronze cross pattée, with two crossed swords pointing up between the arms. The obverse centre medallion bears the relief image of the French Republic in the form of the bust of a young woman wearing a Phrygian cap surrounded by the circular relief inscription RÉPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE (FRENCH REPUBLIC).  Not knowing how long the war would last, the reverse centre medallion bears the dates 1914–1915, 1914–1916, 1914–1917 and finally 1914–1918.
The cross is suspended by a ring through a suspension loop cast atop the upper cross arm.  It hangs from a 37 mm wide green silk moiré ribbon with seven narrow 1,5 mm wide vertical red stripes evenly spaced and two 1 mm red edge stripes.
The lowest degree is represented by a bronze star and the highest degree is represented by a silver palm.  The cross was worn with the appropriate attachments to signify the singular or multiple awards of the decoration.
Bronze star (étoile de bronze): for those who were mentioned at the regiment or brigade level.
Silver star (étoile d'argent): for those who were cited at the division level.
Silver gilt star (étoile vermeil): for those who were cited at the corps level.
Bronze palm (palme de bronze): for those who were cited at the army level.
Silver palm (palme d'argent): could be worn in lieu of five bronze palms.
Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (France)