AbstractA survey is given of the problems encountered in measuring where detonation physics are involved and the measurement procedures applied in their solution. The cylinder test is assigned a part within this framework and compared with competing measurement procedures. This test makes it possible to calculate the progression of detonation product expansion from the widening of the tube measured which, in turn; is needed as an input for computer programs to examine material deformation caused by explosives. The LLNL and ICf evaluation programs are presently available for this purpose. In addition, Gurney energies can also be determined as characteristic magnitudes for explosive effects either directly from the tube expansion or indirectly from the product expansion. Apart from density of explosive and velocity of detonation, both the Chapman‐Jouguet pressure as well as the detonation heat are required in order to establish the initial point of the product expansion curve. In the ICT program, both quantities can also be obtained through detailed examination of the flow conditions in tubes of variable cross‐sections, in conjunction with limit observations on the wall expansion progression; this makes the cylinder test independent of other measurement procedures.