Pressure Altitude Calculator
Estimate pressure altitude from field elevation and altimeter setting.
1,000 ft elevation with 29.42 inHg
At 1,000 ft field elevation and 29.42 inHg, the training correction is (29.92 − 29.42) × 1,000 = +500 ft. Estimated pressure altitude is 1,500 ft.
Lower pressure increases pressure altitude in this approximation. This result is a performance reference; it is not an instruction to change an operational altimeter setting.
Formula and method
Pressure altitude ≈ field elevation + (29.92 − altimeter setting) × 1,000 for the common training approximation.
Pressure Altitude questions
What is pressure altitude used for?
Pressure altitude is a standard reference used in aircraft performance calculations, density-altitude work and many POH or AFM charts.
Why is 29.92 inHg important?
29.92 inHg is standard sea-level pressure in the U.S. altimeter system and is the reference setting used to define pressure altitude.
Is the 1,000-feet-per-inch formula exact?
No. It is a common training approximation. Use the method specified by the aircraft or chart when precision matters.