Xanthophyllum contractum is a tree in the family Polygalaceae. The specific epithet ' is from the Latin meaning 'contracted', referring to short inflorescences and short fruit stalks.
Xanthophyllum contractum grows up to tall with a trunk diameter of up to . The twigs are smooth and pale yellowish. The dark reddish fruits are and measure up to in diameter.
Xanthophyllum contractum is endemic to Borneo. Its habitat is lowland forests.