Similar in design to the T-54/55/62 series tanks, the T-64 maintains many differences. The first, second, fifth, and sixth road wheels have hydraulic shock absorbers. Additional armour can be fitted to the hull front, as a result of empty rails over the top of the suspension. The tank has a dozer blade underneath the hull front, with attachments for the KMT-6 mine clearing plow. An infa red spotlight is mounted to the right of the 125 mm main gun. Ammunition for the DShK are mounted in two or three boxes on the left side of the turret. The turret rear also contains a detachable storage box, 2 x 1 meters. Two snorkels are used for fording rivers, one for the engine, and the other for the turret. The hull are turret armour contain Combination K ceramic inserts, which provide additional protection against HEAT missles. Armour panels along the hull sides spring out to provide superior protection against HEAT attacks. The main gun is stabilized, but poorly done so. The main gun also possess the ability to fire the AT-8 Songster ATGM. Unlike the T-62, the rear drums on the T-64 are not jettisonable, only detachable. The vehicle has a laser range finder system and passive IR. The vehicle has the PAZ radiation detection system, anti-radiation liner, and a collective NBC system.

      The driver's hatch is centered on the top of the hull glacis. The commander's coupla is on the right, the gunner's hatch on the left side of the turret.

      The only common variants of the T-64 are the T-64 A, and T-64 BV. The distinguishing differences betwixt these two variants is that the latter incorporates reactive armour blocks, as noted below.