A complete air gage for one bore or shaft is four things: a readout, the plug or ring, setting masters and clean, regulated air. On the readout side, expect about $2,200 for a Metro M5 air display with filter-regulator and restrictors, or $2,895 for a complete Air Gage Pro bench station. Dual-master air plugs start at $605, and you can price your exact plug, ring and masters free online in about 2 minutes.
What you are paying for
| Part | What it does | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Readout | Turns air back-pressure into a size and shows it against your tolerance | $1,595 to $3,595 |
| Air tooling (plug, ring or snap gage) | Made to your nominal size; the jets do the measuring | Dual-master air plugs from $605 (.485″–.860″); exact price in a free 2-minute quote |
| Setting masters | Certified rings, plugs or discs that set the gage; one for single-master, two for dual-master | Made to order: free quote |
| Air preparation | Filter-regulator that removes water, oil and dirt and holds steady pressure | $575, or built in on the Air Gage Pro |
Already own plugs, rings and masters? Then the readout is your only cost. That is the usual case when replacing a Dimensionair dial or a Metro M1 or M3.
Readout prices
| Readout | 1 input | 2 inputs | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro M5 air display | $1,595 | $2,155 | Readout only. Add the filter-regulator ($575) and a restrictor set ($35 each; two for 2 inputs). |
| Air Gage Pro (M5-L, M5-H or M5 Dual) | $2,895 | $3,595 | Complete bench station: M5 readout, sloped housing, filter-regulator, pressure gauge and front quick-connects. Plug in shop air and power. |
| Metro M400 multi-gage display | $3,430 plus M-Bus modules | For parts with many features. The MB-AG air module is $715. | |
Adding it up for one gage station:
- Metro M5, 1 input + filter-regulator + restrictor set: $2,205
- Air Gage Pro, 1 input, complete: $2,895
- Metro M5, 2 inputs + filter-regulator + two restrictor sets: $2,800
- Air Gage Pro, 2 inputs, complete: $3,595
The M5 alone suits a gage panel or machine you are building into. The Air Gage Pro is the choice for a bench: everything arrives as one unit, ready to measure.
What drives the price of air tooling
Plugs, rings and masters are built to your part, so their price depends on:
- Size. The lowest prices are in the .485″–.860″ range, where dual-master air plugs start at $605. Very small and very large diameters cost more to make.
- Type. Thru-hole plugs cost less than blind or super-blind plugs; center-jet rings less than shoulder-jet or extra-close rings.
- Single or dual master. Dual-master plugs cost less than single-master plugs, which are factory-matched to a readout's amplification, but they need two masters (min and max) instead of one.
- Special features. Extra jets for taper or out-of-round, extended reach, or a non-standard jet location.
Every master we supply ships with a certificate traceable to NIST. To see an exact price for your size, use the online air gage quote: answer a few questions and you get a part number and price in about 2 minutes, free and with no obligation.
Optional extras
| Item | Price | Why you'd add it |
|---|---|---|
| Footswitch | $155 | Send a reading hands-free |
| Handswitch | $185 | Send a reading from the gage |
| QR code reader | $440 | Scan a part or program ID |
| RS232 cable | $95 | Connect to SPC software or a PLC |
| Air preparation set with air-saving | $950 | Cuts air use between readings |
Running costs
- Compressed air. An air gage bleeds a small, steady flow while it is on. The air-saving set above reduces it between readings.
- Master recertification, on the interval your quality system sets.
- Tooling wear. With clean air, plugs last years; the nose takes most of the wear. See air gage care and maintenance.
- Filter elements in the filter-regulator.
Is an air gage worth it?
For the same bore measured over and over to a few tenths, usually yes. An air plug reads in a second or two, centers itself, and doesn't depend on how the operator rocks it, so results repeat between people and gage R&R studies pass more easily.
A simple way to check: if an operator measures 200 bores a shift and an air plug saves 10 seconds on each compared with a dial bore gauge, that's about 33 minutes a shift back. Multiply by your shifts and labor rate, then add the scrap and rework you avoid when operators stop disagreeing on size.
Air gaging is not the best buy when tolerances are looser than about .005″, when a part runs in many sizes in small lots, or when you need a long measuring range. See air gage vs. dial bore gauge.
What about used air gages?
Used dial gages and tooling are cheap on auction sites, but check three things first: the readout's amplification must match the tooling (tool code), the masters need current certificates, and parts for discontinued dials are getting harder to find. See Dimensionair dial gages are discontinued: your options.
Quick answers
What is the cheapest way to start air gaging?
A Metro M5 1-input display with filter-regulator and restrictor set ($2,205), plus a plug or ring and masters for your size. Dual-master air plugs start at $605.
Can one readout run several gages?
Yes. Change the tooling and master again. A 2-input readout runs two gages at once. See air gage amplification explained.
Do you offer quantity pricing?
Multi-unit upgrades are quoted case by case. Send your station list: see fleet upgrades.
How long does it take to get one?
Most products typically ship in 1–2 weeks, and stock items often sooner. Custom tooling ships on the lead time in your quote.
Prices are in U.S. dollars as of October 2026 and may change; the price on each product page is current. Dimensionair is a trademark of its owner, used only to identify compatible equipment.