An analysis is made of the P‐head‐wave amplitude to be expected at liquid‐liquid and liquid‐solid interfaces. The minimum range at which the asymptotic approximation for the range dependence of the head‐wave amplitude holds is shown to be smaller for the liquid‐liquid than for the liquid‐solid case. The range dependence and absolute magnitudes of the head‐wave amplitude are determined experimentally by using ultrasonic techniques and are compared with the results obtained from analysis.