Abstract: In a pocket air velocity gauge, in order to expand the controlled, flow-dependent pointer deflection and the measuring scale to an angular range of at least 270.degree., the air flows through an inlet opening (22) on the back of a housing into a ring channel (12) extending around a pointer shaft (6) and over about 360.degree. and leaves it through a lateral outlet opening (13). In so doing, the air moves an air vane (37) fastened to the pointer shaft (6) counter to a restoring spring force in proportion to the velocity of the air. The ring channel (12) is provided with a cross section widening in the flow direction, and the pointer shaft (6) has assigned to it a second restoring spring which becomes active only after a certain angle deflection of the pointer.