Sida cordifolia Linn, herb belonging to Malvaceae family is extensively used in traditional folk remedies for a variety of conditions like rheumatism, wound healing, gonorrhoea, spermatorrhea and in intermittent fever etc. This study evaluates ethanolic extract of Sida cordifolia Linn for acute & sub-acute anti-inflammatory property in albino rats and compared with the reference drug indomethacin. The 80% ethanolic extract of Sida cordifolia Linn was prepared using soxhlet apparatus. Crude extract was suspended in 1% carboxy methyl cellulose for administration into albino rats. For acute anti-inflammatory study, the carrageenan induced rat paw oedema inhibition method was used and for sub-acute anti-inflammatory study, cotton pellet granuloma method was used. Data was statistically analysed by one factor ANOVA followed by Newman – Keul’s studentized range test. Ethanolic extract of Sida cordifolia Linn showed statistically significant acute & sub- acute anti-inflammatory effects matching to that of control group at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg (p<0.05). It was found that percentage reduction in the pawoedema was 58.13% with Indomethacin, 48.83% and 53.48% with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg Sida cordifolia Linn respectively. Percentage reduction in the granuloma formation was 60.2% with Indomethacin, 54.7% and 56% with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg Sida cordifolia Linn respectively. Sida cordifolia Linn could be a source of valuable anti-inflammatory drugs, in addition to currently available steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents.