Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most fatal and fifth most common cancer worldwide. The incidence of HCC is increasing, in part due to an increase in obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This review highlights the vital role that imaging plays in managing HCC, from identifying high-risk patients to diagnosing, staging, and assessing response to treatment without the need for an invasive biopsy. Various imaging modalities including Ultrasound (US), Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) each offer unique advantages to detect HCC characteristics such as lesion size, appearance, and vascular changes. Ultrasound serves as a cost-effective, accessible tool for early detection, especially in patients with cirrhotic livers, while MDCT and MRI provide detailed visualization and differentiation of HCC from other liver lesions. We also highlight the role of liver-specific contrast agents and the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) in enhancing diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, advanced techniques like Diffusion-weighted imaging and the potential of Artificial Intelligence improve HCC detection and characterization. This comprehensive review underscores the evolution of imaging technologies and the pivotal role in advancing HCC management, offering insights into future directions for research and clinical practice. SIMPLE SUMMARY: In this study, we review the crucial role that imaging plays in the diagnosis and management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). With the incidence of HCC on the rise, partly due to increasing obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, early and accurate detection is more important than ever. We herein characterize the role of different techniques such as Ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans in the treatment of HCC. Advances in imaging techniques have not only aided in the precise staging of HCC, as well as and monitoring treatment response, but also offer the potential to replace invasive biopsy to diagnose primary liver malignancies. This review highlights HCC's unique features and how imaging contributes to improving patient outcomes in the medical community.