Background To compare the dosimetric outcomes of volumetric arc radiotherapy (RapidArc), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) plans for primary liver tumours. Methods 7 patients with localised unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma were included in this study. CT simulation was done with voluntary deep inspiratory breath-holding after administering 80–90 mL of intravenous iodinated contrast. The mean tumour size was 5.6 cm (range 2.1–9.8) and two patients had multiple lesions (range 1–3). All patients were planned for partial liver irradiation for a total dose of 50–66 Gy in 2 Gy per fraction with conformal techniques. 3DCRT, IMRT, and RapidArc plans were generated using Eclipse planning system v.13 and dosimetric analysis was done to evaluate the plan quality and efficiency, including CI, HI, MU delivered, PTV Dmean and Dmax . IMRT plans had 3–5 fields and RapidArc plans had 3–5 arcs. V10 ,V20 ,V30 and V40 of normal liver and Dmean of organs at risk (OAR) and Dmax of spinal cord were also evaluated. Analysis was done using ANOVA and paired t -test with two tailed p < 0.05. Findings All the three techniques had comparable PTV coverage, dose homogeneity, and OAR sparing. IMRT and Rapid Arc had a significantly better conformity index than 3DCRT ( p = 0.03). The high dose areas within the normal liver; V40 and V30 were significantly lower in RapidArc and IMRT plans ( p = 0.03 and p = 0.04, respectively), although no significant differences were noted between IMRT and RapidArc. One patient could not attain the normal liver constraint V33 <33 Gy, which was attained with both IMRT and RapidArc plans. Interpretation RapidArc and IMRT provide better normal liver sparing and conformity than 3DCRT. However, RapidArc was not better than IMRT for liver protection. Further large trials are required to clearly establish the benefits of IMRT and Rapid Arc techniques to treat primary liver tumours.