The schlieren observation of broadband acoustic pulses is considered. The optical intensity distributions in both the image and the Fourier transform plane (stop plane) are discussed. Experimental observations are presented for Gaussian‐like pressure transients generated by narrow voltage pulse (∼0.1 μsec) excitation of thick piezoelectric plates. The intensity profiles obtained from these images are compared to calculations we have formulated for Gaussian pressure pulses. These calculations apply in the phase‐grating limit and include optical diffraction effects due to a finite optical beam.