Tonks is a young witch, slim built with twinkling eyes and a pale heart-shaped face. As a Metamorphmagus, she is able to change her appearance at will and frequently turned her hair into shocking shades of pink and purple. Her natural colors are mousey brown hair and greenish eyes. She dresses in a punky style.

Tonks began attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1984, and was Sorted into Hufflepuff House. Although never made a Prefect due to her inability to behave, Tonks earned good enough marks in her exams to qualify for Auror training when she left school in 1991.

Undergoing three years of Auror training under the tutelage of Alastor Moody, Tonks' natural metamorphic abilities allowed her to easily pass the Concealment and Disguise portion of the training. However, her clumsiness gave her trouble with the Stealth and Tracking portion of the course. Tonks qualified as a full Auror earlier this year (1994).