In fluid dynamics, stagnation pressure, also referred to as total pressure, is what the pressure would be if all the kinetic energy of the fluid were to be converted into pressure in a reversible manner.; it is defined as the sum of the free-stream static pressure and the free-stream dynamic pressure.

The Bernoulli equation applicable to incompressible flow shows that the stagnation pressure is equal to the dynamic pressure and static pressure combined. In compressible flows, stagnation pressure is also equal to total pressure as well, provided that the fluid entering the stagnation point is brought to rest isentropically.

Stagnation pressure is sometimes referred to as pitot pressure because the two pressures are equal.

The magnitude of stagnation pressure can be derived from Bernoulli equation for incompressible flow and no height changes. For any two points 1 and 2:

The two points of interest are 1) in the freestream flow at relative speed ${\displaystyle v}$ where the pressure is called the "static" pressure, (for example well away from an airplane moving at speed ${\displaystyle v}$); and 2) at a "stagnation" point where the fluid is at rest with respect to the measuring apparatus (for example at the end of a pitot tube in an airplane).

Then

or

where: