We attempted to determine whether cytoplasmic fat in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can be identified by chemical shift gradient‐echo magnetic resonance imaging (CSI). CSI was performed for 22 clear cell RCCs and 30 other renal tumors (including 16 non‐clear cell RCCs), all of which were surgically proven. Signal reduction in out‐of‐phase images of these tumors was retrospectively evaluated and compared. The signal loss ratio (SLR) was defined and calculated. Fat staining of specimens from 16 tumors was performed and correlated with SLR. SLR was significantly higher in clear cell RCCs than in non‐clear cell RCCs (P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between degree of fat staining positivity of the specimens and SLR (P < 0.01). When signal reduction in out‐of‐phase images suggested the diagnosis of clear cell RCC, correct diagnosis of this entity was made in resected renal tumors with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 82%, 90%, and 87%, respectively. CSI can demonstrate cytoplasmic fat in clear cell RCCs, which helps to differentiate this entity from other RCCs.J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 1999;9:579–585. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.