&NA;The recognition of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (RCC) as a distinct pathologic entity less than two decades ago has been greatly instrumental in the current classification of renal epithelial neoplasms. The validity of this pathologic categorization stands confirmed by genetics and the clinical behavior of most tumor groups. Therefore, proper separation of these distinct clinicopathologic entities is essential. Chromophobe RCC may show some morphologic features that overlap with renal oncocytoma and conventional (clear cell) RCC. However, close attention to light microscopic features, in particular the cytoplasmic and nuclear characteristics, enables proper classification in the vast majority of the cases. Ancillary studies, including colloidal iron staining and electron microscopy, only rarely are needed for accurate categorization. This article reviews the pathologic features that are helpful for a proper recognition of chromophobe RCC and the characteristics that distinguish it from its mimics.