Background/aim: Accurate measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the evaluation of renal functions in potential kidney donors is associated with important outcomes for both the donor and recipient. We intended to determine the efficacy of various methods while estimating GFR in potential living kidney donors. Materials and methods: Fifty-three potential kidney donors (31 females, 22 males; mean age: 50.1 years) were included in this study. GFR was estimated simultaneously using the following methods: Gates? method, Cockcroft?Gault (CG) and modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) prediction equations, and the two-plasma sample (TPS) technique. Using TPS as the reference method, the estimations of GFR with the other methods were compared with that of TPS. Results: The mean ± SD GFR was 86.43 ± 11.37 mL min?1 1.73 m?2 with TPS. GFR values calculated using Gates? method and MDRD 1, MDRD 2, reexpressed MDRD, and CG prediction equations were 105.25 ± 16.12 mL min?1 1.73 m?2, 114.63 ± 32.51 mL min?1 1.73 m?2, 113.2 ± 35.23 mL min?1 1.73 m?2, 104.23 ± 23.12 mL min?1 1.73 m?2, and 99.35 ± 20.01 mL min?1 1.73 m?2, respectively. While there was a strong statistically significant correlation between the TPS and Gates' methods, moderate correlation was found between TPS and the MDRD 1, MDRD 2, and reexpressed MDRD prediction equations. Conclusion: Our results indicated that the performance of Gates' method in total GFR estimation was better than the prediction equations in potential kidney donors.