The calculations of mechanic and electronic properties for MgAl 2 O 4 spinel under pressure are presented by first principle. The lattice constants and internal parameters are in good agreement with the available experimental results. The calculations for bulk modulus, elastic constants, energy gaps, bond lengths for the nearest neighbor cation- O anion and their pressure dependence show an increase of bulk modulus, elastic constants, energy gaps in high symmetry and a decrease of cation- O anion bond lengths. A transition from indirect gap material to direct one is found due to applying pressure. Up to 70GPa, there is no sign of structural instability.