Curves are given that enable the maximum tensile and compressive elastic stresses due to uniform pressure to be determined for an unpierced torispherical head closure to a cylindrical shell of the same thickness. Internal or external pressure may be applied. The curves are based on linear thin shell theory for which the head diameter/thickness ratio is greater than or equal to 10 and the head knuckle radius/thickness ratio is greater than or equal to 5. It is assumed that the cylinder is sufficiently long to avoid any interaction effects and a curve provides the minimum cylinder lengths necessary to ensure this. Head instability is not considered.