Objective To review the various imaging modalities and their appropriate applications in the preoperative evaluation of both donors and recipients in liver transplantation (LT). Methods All the relevant literatures were reviewed. Different kinds of imaging modalities have been used in potential LT donors and recipients to assess the volume, the parenchyma and the vasculature of the liver, the biliary system, and the extrahepatic region of the upper abdomen and beyond. The techniques, the imaging findings, and the merits and shortcomings of various imaging modalities were presented.Results Traditional imaging techniques are still of valuable, while CT can provide rich and accurate information. "One-stop" comprehensive MR examination is emerging as the method of choice for the preoperative evaluation LT recipients and donors. Conclusion Each imaging method has its merits and limitations. Those imaging methods which can provide accurate and comprehensive information are likely to have better application future.