Abstract In this contribution we have empirically calibrated the garnet–biotite–muscovite–aluminosilicate–quartz (GBMAQ) barometer using low- to medium–high-pressure, mid-grade metapelites. Application of the barometer suggests that the GBMAQ and GASP barometers show quite similar pressure estimates. Furthermore, metapelites within thermal contact aureole or very limited geographic area show no meaningful pressure diversity determined by the GBMAQ and GASP barometers which is the geological reality. The random error of the GBMAQ barometer is expected to be around ± 0.8 kbar, and this barometer shows no systematic bias with respect to either pressure, or temperature, or AlVI in muscovite, or Fe in biotite, or Fe in garnet. The GBMAQ barometer is thermodynamically consistent with the garnet–biotite geothermometer because they share the same activity models of both garnet and biotite. This barometer is especially useful for assemblages with Ca-poor garnet or Ca-poor plagioclase or plagioclase-absent metapelites. Application of this barometer beyond the calibration ranges, i.e., P–T range and chemical ranges of the minerals, is not encouraged.