This study examined the influence of different resistant starch (RS) varieties and conventional fibres on the efficiency of nutrient utilisation and intestinal fermentation in pigs. Thirty-six pigs (30 kg) were fed poultry meal-based diets supplemented with 10 % granular resistant corn starch (GCS), granular resistant potato starch (GPS), retrograded resistant corn starch (RCS), guar gum (GG) or cellulose for 36 d according to a completely randomised block design. Distal ileal and total tract recoveries were similar (P>0·05) among the RS varieties. Distal ileal starch recovery was higher (P < 0·05) in pigs consuming the RS diets (27–42 %) as compared with the control group (0·64 %). Consumption of GCS reduced (P < 0·05) apparent total tract digestibility and whole-body retention of crude protein in comparison with the control group. Consumption of GPS reduced (P < 0·05) total tract Ca digestibility and whole-body retention of Ca and P compared with the control group. However, consumption of RCS increased (P < 0·05) total tract Ca digestibility compared with the control group. Caecal butyrate concentration was increased (P < 0·05) following consumption of RCS and GG in comparison with the control group. Consumption of all the RS varieties reduced (P < 0·05) caecal indole concentrations compared with the control. Caecal butyrate concentrations were positively correlated (P < 0·05; r 0·63–0·83) with thermal properties among the RS varieties. We conclude that nutrient utilisation and intestinal fermentation are differentially affected by the consumption of different RS varieties and types of fibres. Thermal properties associated with different RS varieties may be useful markers for developing RS varieties with specific functionality.