An experimental investigation was undertaken to determine the force-indentation relations governing the contact of hard-steel balls and plane surfaces of various metals both under static and dynamic conditions, the latter involving the Hopkinson-bar technique, with maximum elastic strain rates of 500 sec−1. Excellent correlation was obtained between the measured permanent crater diameter at the contact point and that calculated from strain-gage data by means of an equation treating the bar as a one-dimensional member. A comparison also was effected between the static and dynamic force-indentation curves, the Hertz law of contact, and a relation based upon the concept of a constant flow pressure in the plastic regime.