Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a systemic, immune-mediated life-long disease that requires a comprehensive approach to management. Laboratory markers are essential tools used throughout the trajectory of the disease. They are useful in detecting infection and inflammation and in assessing malabsorption and nutritional deficiencies. They play a role in IBD diagnosis, in detecting disease relapse, monitoring disease activity and monitoring response to therapy. The most widely studied and used markers in IBD are C-reactive protein (CRP) and faecal calprotectin (FC). Other laboratory markers have been described, but are not routinely used in clinical practice either because they are not readily available or have not gained favour. Despite the wide use of laboratory markers, there remains a need to find the ideal serum or faecal markers that can reliably replace endoscopic and histologic assessment of disease activity. Research in metabolomics, proteomics and genomics show promise to identify more accurate panels of laboratory markers of IBD.