Abstract: A piston ring tension gage consisting of a ring compression test fixture provided with a digital strain readout indicating for automatically determining the pressure exerted by a piston ring assembly in a simulated operative use position. The ring compression test fixture comprises a fixed semi-circular plate which coacts with a pivotally mounted movable semi-circular plate to retain a piston ring assembly therebetween. A pneumatic cylinder and piston rod provided with a strain load sensing means acts directly against the movable plate so as to determine the pressure exerted by the piston ring being tested. Vibratory means are provided in association with the ring compression test fixture so as to obtain friction free test reading. The tension measuring, vibration and tension reading steps are automatically sequenced at a controlled rate to provide repetitive accuracy in the testing.