The present work explored how operators’ cognitive characteristics (spatial ability, verbal/imagery cognitive style) and the format of additional spatial information (numerical or graphic) provided to operators influence the performance of cross-aiming teleoperation based on a simulated robotic arm. It was found that both mental rotation ability and perspective-taking ability significantly affected the efficiency and reliability of the cross-aiming teleoperation. Individuals with an imagery cognitive style felt more satisfied with their own teleoperation performance, and experienced less temporal demand and frustration than those with verbal cognitive style. It was also found that for both verbal and imagery participants, matching the format of additional spatial information with their cognitive styles can improve their safety performance during teleoperation without affecting their workload. Conversely, for the imagery participants, the mismatch could not improve teleoperation performance but increased their workload. This suggests that the cognitive fit theory should be modified to incorporate cognitive style. •Spatial ability significantly affected the efficiency and reliability of the cross-aiming teleoperation.•In teleoperation, Imagery individuals felt more satisfied, less temporal demand, less frustrated than verbal individuals.•In teleoperation, the match of additional information format and cognitive style improved safety without affecting workload.•For the imagery participants, the mismatch can not improve teleoperation performance but increased their workload.