Hysteresis errors are lags in the instrument's Altitude indication (Altimeter). It’s created by the natural differences in elasticity among the altimeters' various internal components and can occur after an aircraft has maintained a constant altitude for an extended period of time. During that time, the component's inertia tends to resist movement. Introduce a large-scale altitude change and the altimeter may lag. A typical example results in altimeter readings higher than actual after a rapid descent. This type of error either does not exist or is minimal during climbs and slow descents or after levelling at a new altitude.

Many of these errors can be minimised or eliminated altogether by regular instrument maintenance and proper care. At the same time, these errors may only present themselves in high-performance aircraft. The 24-month altimeter/static system checks required for flying IFR are designed to uncover these errors and either correct or compensate for them.

The instrument that can be affected by the hysteresis error is the Altimeter.