Pressure Altitude Calculator

Calculate pressure altitude from field elevation and altimeter setting. Foundation for density altitude and performance calculations.

Field Elevation

ft MSL

Sea level to ~14,000 ft for US airports

Altimeter Setting (QNH)

inHg

Typical: 29.82–30.12 inHg

Tab to move between fields

Pressure Altitude

5,000 ft

≈ 5 Eiffel Towers

Pressure Correction0 ft

ISA Temperature at PA105.8°F

Atmospheric Pressure843 hPa

How to Use This Calculator

Enter your airport's field elevation from the sectional chart or airport directory.
Enter the current altimeter setting from ATIS, AWOS, or METAR.
The result is your pressure altitude — use it in POH performance charts.

How the result changes with Altimeter Setting (QNH)

Field Elevation: Airport elevation above mean sea level. Found on sectional charts or airport facility directory (AFD).
Altimeter Setting (QNH): Current altimeter setting in inches of mercury from ATIS, AWOS, or METAR. Standard is 29.92 inHg.

Pressure Altitude: Use this value for POH performance chart lookups.
Pressure Correction: Altitude correction applied for non-standard pressure.
ISA Temperature at PA: Standard temperature at this pressure altitude.
Atmospheric Pressure: Estimated atmospheric pressure at this pressure altitude.

Pressure Correction
Correction = (29.92 − Altimeter Setting) × 1000
(29.92 − 29.92) × 1000 = 0 ft
Pressure Altitude
PA = Field Elevation + Correction
5,000 + 0 = 5,000 ft
ISA Temperature at PA
ISA Temp = 15°C − 2°C × (PA ÷ 1000)
15 − 2 × (5,000 ÷ 1000) = 5.0°C (41.0°F)