The continuous compaction response of zirconia powders prepared by different processing treatments was investigated. Though the yield point could be or not below 1 MPa, the change of slope was always observed at high pressure range around 60 MPa. Powder compaction was mainly governed by second compaction stage and compaction rate was decreased with increasing forming pressure. Rotary vacuum dried powder favored a high compaction density, whereas freeze dried and calcined powders favored an increase in the pressing efficiency. In order to extract more reliable information about powder compaction, it was necessary to use not only compaction response diagram but also compaction rate diagram.