抗压强度为指定材料抵抗以同一轴线施加压力的能力，当压力超越抗压强度时，材料会出现脆断、塑性变形等不可逆的形变。混凝土的抗压强度可以超过50MPa（百万帕斯卡），但塑胶容器的抗压强度可以低于250N。

材料的抗压强度并不一定与其抗拉强度相若。陶瓷、混凝土的抗压强度高于抗拉强度；而复合材料的抗拉强度则倾向高于抗压强度。

材料的抗压强度可以用强度测试机测量，这种机器小至可放于桌上、大至可产生53MN（百万牛顿）。测量抗压强度有一定的方法和条件规限，并以既定的标准记录。

Compressive strength is the capacity of a material or structure to withstand loads tending to reduce size, as opposed to tensile strength, which withstands loads tending to elongate. In other words, compressive strength resists compression (being pushed together), whereas tensile strength resists tension (being pulled apart). In the study of strength of materials, tensile strength, compressive strength, and shear strength can be analyzed independently.