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The objective of this study was to evaluate the apparent digestibility of diets for sheep by internal markers iDM (indigestible dry matter), iNDF (indigestible neutral detergent fiber) and iADF (indigestible acid detergent fiber) and the external indicator LIPE®, in relation to the total feces collection method. It was used eight sheep males Santa Inês, castrated, rumen fistulated, with a mean body weight of 50 kg. The animals received diets based of manioc rasp and mature elephant grass (120 days). Internal markers (iDM, iNDF and iADF) were estimated after 288 hours of in situ incubation of food and feces samples. The external LIPE® indicator was supplied as capsules at a dosage of 250 mg/animal/day. The apparent digestibility results estimated by the LIPE® external marker differed statistically (P<0.05) from those determined by the total feces collect method and the internal marker, iNDF and iADF, indicating higher digestibility coefficients for the external marker for the variables DM (dry matter), OM (organic matter), except for treatment with mature elephant grass and CP (crude protein), except for control and nutrient treatment NFC (Non-fibrous carbohydrates), TC (total carbohydrate) and TDN (total digestible nutrients) for all treatments. No statistical difference was observed (P>0.05) between the total feces collect method and the internal markers iNDF and iADF. The internal markers iNDF and iADF can be used in studies of digestibility in sheep, as they allow to estimate in a similar way to the method of total feces collect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]