Abstract In all advanced methods of nondestructive evaluation (NDE), emphasis is now placed on characterizing cracks and flaws in terms of their fracture mechanics parameters. The aim is to quantitatively predict fatigue and/or flaw life, rather than simply detect flaw presence. Eddy current (EC) testing now is beginning to move to a level of confidence when flaws not only can be detected, but fully characterized. This is due to more innovative probe design and higher sophistication in the interpretation of quantitative probe data.