The four-armed Devi Kali otherwise called Dakshinakali is the most common form of Goddess Kali. Daksinakali is the most popular form of Kali. The four arms of Devi Kali carries a sword, a trishul (trident), a severed head, and a bowl (skull-cup or kapala). The bowl is used to collect the blood of the severed head. Two of her hands (right) are in the abhaya (fearlessness) and varada (blessing) mudra. These two hands means that anyone worshipping her with a true heart will be saved and guided hereafter.

Goddess Kali in the ten armed form is known as Mahakali, the bigger aspect of Kali. She is depicted with a blue skin in her Mahakali form. Mahakali has ten faces, ten feet, and three eyes for each head

Sashan Kali is the most dangerous and powerful form of Devi Kali. Sashan Kali is the chief goddess of Tantric texts. It is said that if Devi Kali steps out with the left foot and holds the sword in her right hand, she is in the form of Sashan Kali. She is the Kali of the cremation ground and is worshiped by tantrics.

One more form of Devi Kali is known to exist, the Maternal Kali. This form is the most pleasing and calm form of Kali and is not associated with war or destruction. It is said that at the time of samundra manthan when amrito (nectar) came out along with poison, Lord Shiva drank the poison to save the world from being destroyed. However, Lord Shiva was so much in pain due to the poison that at this momemt, Lord Shiva became a child. Devi Kali fed him with her milk which soothed the effect of poison.