Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging can precisely quantify cardiac size and function, but moreover depict tissue changes that are associated with various forms of myocardial inflammation. Thereby, CMR can often detect myocardial inflammation before contractility is obviously impaired. Various CMR techniques to assess aspects of inflammation including T2-weighted imaging, and early- and late-contrast enhanced T1-weighted imaging, are reviewed regarding technical challenges and clinical usefulness. In this article we discuss the available evidence regarding clinical application of CMR in different forms of myocardial inflammation.