This article provides an overview of a collection of diseases collectively known as interstitial lung disease (ILD). The terminology and names have changed over time with an expanding, complex classification. This article discusses some of the more commonly recognised classes of ILD. These conditions are increasingly recognised but provide diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. General practice nurses (GPNs) are ideally placed for early symptom recognition and onward referral to secondary care specialist service for multidisciplinary team discussion, diagnosis and management.