Chromodoris quadricolor can be recognized according to following characteristics :
- the centre of the mantle consists in 3 black bands and 2 bluish bands. This blue colour can't always be seen because it depends on the lighting
- the border of the mantle consists in a broad orange band delimited by one outer and one inner thin white line
- the rhinophores and gills are orange
- the foot looks like the mantle and consists in a sequence of black and bluish bands, and it ends with the orange band and the white line
The name 'quadricolor' is due to these 4 colours present in this species.

Chromodoris quadricolor can be mistaken for Chromodoris magnifica. Here are some characteristics to distinguish these species :
- the white band which follows the orange one and which borders the mantle is broader in C. magnifica, while it is just a thin line in C. quadricolor
- the mantle of C. quadricolor is more elongate and narrow, while in C. magnifica it is more oval and wide
- the 2 central bands are white and not bluish in C. magnifica, but it also depends on the lighting

Also, Chromodoris quadricolor can be mistaken for Chromodoris africana. Here is how to distinguish these species :
- the mantle is more narrow and more rigid to the touch in C. quadricolor, while in C. africana it is wide and soft
- the 2 central bands are white and not bluish in C. africana
- C. africana grows to a larger size than C. quadricolor

The splitting of the black bands into thinner secondary bands occurs in all mentioned species.

Red Sea