Fluid resuscitation is considered a cornerstone therapy in the management of critically ill patients. Estimation of volume requirements using an appropriate diagnostic strategy is a cumbersome process and an area of uncertainty. In many studies, clinicians’ use of physical examination has been challenged, and several strategies for hemodynamic assessment utilizing imaging and physiologic models have been proposed. Broadly classified into static and dynamic indices, these interventions are based on point measurements as well as variations in the indices. There is no consensus among various societies about ideal testing, which is usually dependent on the clinician‘s discretion, availability of infrastructure and institutional preference. In this review, we attempt to elaborate the commonly used fluid assessment methods in the medical–surgical and cardiac critical care units.