The ring-current model for the pentalene molecule has been constructed by ab initio techniques. The current density vector field has been used to obtain magnetic shielding density maps for the different protons. It is shown that the paramagnetic flow of the pi electrons causes an increase of the out-plane component of proton shielding tensors, that is overall shielding. Distant portions of the it flow also shield carbon nuclei. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.