---
title: What is absolute pressure?
description: Pressure transducers need to be able to interpret pressure readings in different ways and use appropriate units to reflect those readings accurately.
---

[Setra Blog ](https://www.setra.com/blog)

# [What is absolute pressure?](https://www.setra.com/blog/what-is-absolute-pressure)

 Written by [Matt Gillespie](https://www.setra.com/blog/author/matt-gillespie) | May 01, 2017

**Absolute pressure** is the pressure measured relative to a perfect vacuum, which is considered absolute zero pressure. This means it includes the atmospheric pressure in addition to the pressure of the system being measured. 

An incredibly [diverse array of applications](https://www.setra.com/markets) require the measurement of air pressure. Depending on the application, users need to be able to interpret pressure readings in different ways and use appropriate units to reflect those readings accurately.

## Absolute Pressure Defined

**Absolute pressure** is measured relative to a full vacuum. In contrast, the pressure that is measured against atmospheric pressure ([also known as barometric pressure](https://www.setra.com/blog/what-is-barometric-pressure)) is called **gauge pressure**. A full vacuum has an absolute pressure reading of 0 PSI***A*** and the average barometric pressure at sea level is ~14.7 PSIA.

When measuring gauge pressure, current atmospheric pressure is the baseline and is therefore read as 0 PSI***G***. Any pressure readings taken by a transducer will be relative to that reference, which can change with variations in temperature or altitude. Full vacuum is -14.7 PSIG; or in terms of vacuum pressure, it can also be rendered as +14.7 PSI***V***.

## Where is absolute pressure measured?

Confusingly enough, pressure transducers used to measure barometric pressure for weather forecasting purposes are measuring the *absolute* pressure of the surrounding area. If the intended application uses gauge pressure transducers instead of absolute pressure transducers, readings would constantly be 0.

[Absolute pressure transducers](https://www.setra.com/product/pressure/absolute) are also used in [semiconductor manufacturing](https://www.setra.com/semiconductor-manufacturing-pressure-measurement) applications, specifically in the storage and delivery of toxic arsine and phosphine gases. Because atmospheric conditions can fluctuate, it is imperative that these systems are accurate and use a reference (full vacuum) that is completely static.

 

[**CLICK HERE**](https://www.setra.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-an-absolute-sensor-and-a-gauge-sensor-and-when-should-i-use-each)** to learn more about the differences between absolute and gauge sensors. **

[View full post](https://www.setra.com/blog/what-is-absolute-pressure)

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