Background: Oral cavity is one of the most common sites for tumours and tumour like lesions in males especially in India. Squamous cell carcinoma is single most common malignant lesion of this region and related to continuous use of tobacco. Aims and objectives: To study the histopathology of different benign and malignant oral lesions and to compare the observed findings to similar studies with relation to age, sex and site distribution. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study carried out in the Department of Histopathology, B.J.Medical College, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad from January 2012 to December 2012. A total of 100 cases of oral cavity lesions were studied. Results: Benign lesions were more common than malignant lesions. The most common site was buccal mucosa with 32 cases (32%) followed by lip with 22 cases (22%). Out of the 100 cases, 75 cases (75%) were benign and 25 cases (25%) were malignant. Out of 25 malignant cases, 22 cases (22%) were conventional squamous cell carcinoma and 1 case each of clear cell odontogenic tumour, low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma and verrucous carcinoma. Conclusion: A higher degree of suspicion, based on clinical findings and associated risk factors, precise histopathological typing of lesions to confirm or rule out malignancy is essential in the management of oral lesions.