Background To investigate whether MRI findings, including texture analysis, can differentiate KRAS mutation status in rectal cancer. Methods Totally, 158 patients with pathologically proved rectal cancers and preoperative pelvic MRI examinations were enrolled. Patients were stratified into two groups: KRAS wild-type group (KRAS(wt) group) and KRAS mutation group (KRAS(mt) group) according to genomic DNA extraction analysis. MRI findings of rectal cancers (including texture features) and relevant clinical characteristics were statistically evaluated to identify the differences between the two groups. The independent samples t test or Mann-Whitney U test were used for continuous variables. The differences of the remaining categorical polytomous variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test or Fisher exact test. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to evaluate the discriminatory power of MRI features. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) and the optimal cut-off values were calculated using histopathology diagnosis as a reference; meanwhile, sensitivity and specificity were determined. Results Mean values of six texture parameters (Mean, Variance, Skewness, Entropy, gray-level nonuniformity, run-length nonuniformity) were significantly higher in KRAS(mt) group compared to KRAS(wt) group (p < 0.0001, respectively). The AUC values of texture features ranged from 0.7030.813. In addition, higher T stage and lower ADC values were observed in the KRAS(mt) group compared to KRAS(wt) group (t = 7.086, p = 0.029; t = - 2.708, p = 0.008). Conclusion The MRI findings of rectal cancer, especially texture features, showed an encouraging value for identifying KRAS status.