Abstract: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease（MAFLD） has become one of the major causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. It is crucial to accurately differentiate non-alcoholic fatty liver, steatohepatitis and MAFLD-associated liver cirrhosis. Due to the invasiveness and sampling error of liver biopsy, non-invasive diagnostic method of MAFLD is an ideal alternative. In this article, research progress on the application of magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） in the assessment of hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis in MAFLD patients were reviewed, aiming to provide evidences for non-invasive diagnosis of MAFLD in clinical practice.