Objective To summarize applications and research progress of common magnetic resonance imaging lipid detection techniques in abdomen and pelvis. Method The latest domestic and foreign research literatures related to the applications and research progress of common magnetic resonance imaging lipid detection techniques in the abdomen and pelvis in recent years were collected and reviewed. Results The fat-selective spectral-spatial imaging, 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), and Dixon & IDEAL are three main magnetic resonance imaging lipid detection techniques, and they can estimate the fat content in the normal tissues and lesions noninvasively and longitudinally, which make the ectopic fat-induced diseases’ early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up possible. Conclusion Magnetic resonance imaging lipid detection techniques have obvious clinical values in quantitative measurement of fat content, and each method gets its own advantage, especially modified Dixon, which is more convenient and accurate and shows an enormous potential in clinical practice.