Abstract: Two similar incremental sensors, one with 2N+1 spatial periods or pitches over a range of 2R, or N+0.5 pitches over a range of R, and the other with 2N?1 pitches over the range of 2R, or N?0.5 pitches over a range of R, measure a common position along an axis x. Both sensors consist of a scale having spatially periodic features that define the above pitches, and a reading head. An exact absolute position over the maximum range of 2R can be computed from outputs of the two sensors with a resolution about twice that of one sensor. For a reduced absolute range of less than R, computing the correct absolute position becomes simpler and more tolerant of sensor linearity. A preferred embodiment is a compact and linear absolute gauge combining two inductive incremental sensors, replacing current analog LVDT or half-bridge inductive gauges.