Background: The traditional way of classification of ascites by AFTP offers little insight to the pathophysiology of ascites formation and it has further drawbacks. In order to overcome it the classification of ascites based on SAAG has emerged. Even SAAG also has some draw backs like non correlation with ascites due to nonalcoholic cirrhosis and difficulty in identifying the ascites due to mixed etiology. So, the study is conducted to compare the serum ascetic fluid albumin gradient (SAAG) with ascetic fluid total protein (AFTP) in hepatic and non-hepatic causes of ascites at tertiary care center.