ABSTRACT Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most important malignant tumour in the oral cavity. 90-95 % of cases were encountered as OSCC in dental practice. Diagnosing the OSCC is a challenging task for oral pathologists because the histopathological features of certain lesions might be confusing with the histopathological features and clinical features of OSCC. Thorough clinical examination, history taking and knowledge about the histopathological features of OSCC and other tumours mimicking OSCC helps an oral pathologist to derive a proper diagnosis and thus treatment can be planned accordingly. This review article discusses about the lesions which are resembling OSCC.