Torsional effects are prominent in buildings having poor: (i) plan geometry in plan and elevation, (ii) distribution of vertical structural elements, and (iii) distribution of mass, respectively. It causes torsional eccentricity and torsional flexibility (whose fundamental mode is torsional) in buildings. Hence, building code provisions like India design for torsion using torsional eccentricity and define torsional irregularity using ratio of edge element displacements and natural period ratios (which defines torsional flexibility). Additionally, limits are placed on plan geometry using projection plan dimensions or area, and aspect ratio. Effect of plan shape on lateral-torsional response of building is studied on different H-shaped plan geometries using equivalent static approach (ESA) and response spectrum approach (RSA), based on local or global response parameters, like displacement and rotation about the centre of mass CM, force distribution among structural elements, base shear and torsional moment, and torsional irregularity criteria. Comparison of normalized responses of rectangular and H-shaped buildings showed that unsymmetrical buildings show more translation in ESA and more rotation in RSA, but the overall variation is marginal, i.e. 1.1–1.3 irrespective of level of torsional eccentricity. Alternately, the normalized force demand imposed on each structural element based on ESA is more than RSA. Hence, it is required to provide a dynamic amplification factor (DAF) for torsion in both ESA and RSA. Also, it is preferred to avoid re-entrant corners in H-shaped buildings by dividing them into individual blocks. Amplification in normalized shear forces of structural elements of H-shaped buildings and their corresponding individual blocks varies from 1.1 to 3.1; thus, it is preferred to limit building projections. Otherwise, design the structural elements by providing with adequate stiffness, strength, and deformability to ensure better performance.