Purpose: To detect the role of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging in classification of liver hydatid cysts and differentiation from simple cysts and liver abscesses. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients sent to our department with prediagnosis of hydatid cysts or abscess were included in the study. Thirty lesions were evaluated. MR imaging included T1 weighted fast gradient echo, T2W Half-fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo and DW single shot echoplanar pulse sequence (b:0,b:50,b:1000 sec/mm²). Apparent diffusion coefficient values(mm2/sec) of the HCs, abscesses and simple cysts were calculated with the given formula. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the apparent diffusion coefficient values of Type 1 and 3 (p>0,05) and of simple cysts and Type 1 hydatid cysts(p>0,05). Apparent diffusion coefficient values of abscesses were significantly lower than values of Type 1,3 and simple cysts.No statistically significant difference was found between apparent diffusion coefficient values of abscesses and Type 4 hydatid cysts(p>0,05). Type 4 lesions had significantly lower values when compared with Type 1 and 3 hydatid cysts. Conclusion: DW MRI is helpful in differentiating Type 4 lesions from other types and abscesses from hydatid cysts other than Type 4 and also simple cysts. Type 1 hydatid cysts cannot be differentiated from simple cysts solely with apparent diffusion coefficient values as well as Type 4 lesions from abscesses.