Definition
A manifold pressure reading of 45 inches of mercury, indicating the absolute pressure of the air-fuel mixture inside an engine's intake manifold. Because standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is approximately 29.92 inches of mercury, a reading of 45 "Hg means the engine is being supplied with intake pressure well above ambient — a condition only possible with forced induction (turbocharging or supercharging). In ground-boosted and altitude-turbocharged piston engines, 45 "Hg is a typical high-power manifold pressure setting used during takeoff or climb.
Plain English
The pressure of the air being pushed into the engine, measured at 45 inches on the manifold pressure gauge. It is higher than the natural air pressure outside the airplane, which means a turbocharger or supercharger is squeezing extra air into the engine to make more power.
Context Anchor
Seen in turbocharged engine discussions and on manifold pressure gauges when describing boosted engine power settings.
Derivation
The symbol " means inches, and Hg is the chemical symbol for mercury (from the Latin hydrargyrum, meaning 'liquid silver'). Pressure has historically been measured by how high it pushes a column of mercury in a tube, so 45 "Hg literally means a pressure capable of supporting a 45-inch column of mercury.
Why Pilots Care
Operating near or above 45 ""Hg without proper engine monitoring risks overboost damage, detonation, or turbo failure.
Grounding Statement
45 "Hg is a high power setting on a turbocharged engine — well above the pressure you would ever see in a normally aspirated airplane.
Intuition Check
Do not read the quote mark as decoration. In this term, it means inches, and Hg means mercury; together they name a pressure unit, not an altitude or distance.
Example Sentence 1
During takeoff in the turbocharged twin, the pilot advanced the throttles smoothly until the manifold pressure gauges read 45 "Hg.
Example Sentence 2
At sea level the ground-boosted engine easily reached 45 ""Hg, while the altitude turbocharger would not reach the same value until higher in the climb.