This article reviews standard brain and spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols, including supplementary sequences, and outlines practical interpretation guidelines from a radiological perspective. For brain MRI, acquiring all orthogonal planes (axial, sagittal, and coronal) is preferable over reliance on axial images alone. Experienced clinicians should carefully select sequences to optimize scan time, diagnostic accuracy, and patient comfort by including necessary sequences while omitting non-essential sequences.