Genetic variability and diversity in foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.) was studied with 223 germplasm accessions of different origins with eleven characters in the present study. The analysis of variance indicated highly significant differences among genotypes for all the 11 characters studied except panicle excertion. The coefficient of variation at phenotypic (PCV) and genotypic (GCV) levels were high for number of basal tillers and grain yield per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance were noted for number of basal tillers and flag leaf blade width, whereas grain yield per plant exhibited moderate heritability with high genetic advance indicating the possibility of improvement for these trait by simple selection. Based on genetic distance, these genotypes were grouped into twelve clusters. Cluster patterns revealed that, cluster II was the largest comprising of 83 accessions followed by cluster X with 57 accessions and cluster V containing lowest number of accession. Eight clusters were superior viz., VIII, IX, VII, XI, I, XII, VI and solitary cluster V. Intercrossing between accessions of these diverse clusters would generate a broad spectrum of variability for effective selection in the segregating generations for the development of high yielding cultivars. The clustering pattern revealed that the genotypes originating from different geographical regions got themselves grouped into different clusters and inter cluster distance ranged from 11.42 to 70.45 using 'k means' clustering approach. Clusters I and XII showed maximum inter cluster of 70.45. Based on the relative contribution, plant height contributed maximum to the diversity followed by days to maturity and grain yield per plant.