This study is aimed to assess the role of hepatic steatosis (HS) on outcome of conversion therapy for patients with initially unresectable synchronous colorectal liver-limited metastases (CLLMs). We identified 346 patients with initially unresectable CLLMs received conversion therapy under the guidance of multidisciplinary team (MDT) in Zhongshan hospital (2013 to 2016). HS status of all patients was evaluated before the first circle of conversion therapy. The objective response rate (ORR), hepatectomy rate, predictor of conversion hepatectomy, and overall survival (OS) were compared using propensity-score matching (PSM). Predictive value of HS in conversion hepatectomy was validated with a separate cohort of 60 patients initially unresectable CLLMs who received conversion therapy (2017 to 2018). Before conversion therapy start, 108 (31.2%) patients were detected with HS status. In study set after PSM, compared with non-HS group, HS group supplied improved ORR (36.7% vs 23.9%, P = 0.020), hepatectomy rate from MDT (27.7% vs. 16.9%, P < 0.001) following conversion therapy. Multivariate analysis confirmed that HS (OR, 5.234; 95%CI, 2.398–11.423, P < 0.001), targeted therapy and transarterial chemoembolization treatment were independent predictors of hepatectomy rate. In the validation cohort, patients with HS had an improved conversion hepatectomy rate (43.7% vs. 15.9%, P = 0.038) following conversion therapy. Hepatic steatosis status could be a predictor of conversion hepatectomy in patients with synchronous colorectal liver-limited metastases. This effect appears to be independent of use of targeted therapy.