Estimation of deflections in RC slabs is important in the limit state design approach, as deflection control is often the governing condition for slab thickness. Unlike the case of one-way slabs, there is presently no simple procedure available in design codes as well as in the published literature to estimate maximum deflections of RC two-way slabs. The present study attempts to address this problem, with regard to estimation of short-term deflections in RC two-way slabs for which deflection coefficients are available. A modified Branson's formulation is proposed to assess the flexural rigidity of the two-way slab in order to account for the complex effects of cracking and tension stiffening. The empirical formulation is based on 16 experimental load-deflection data sets reported in literature for uniformly loaded rectangular panels on unyielding supports with simply supported and restrained edges.