An apparatus includes a calibration fixture, a calibration position sensor, and interface circuitry. The calibration fixture is sized and shaped to fit over a distal-end of a medical probe, such that the distal-end makes physical contact with a wall of the calibration fixture. The calibration position sensor is fixed in the calibration fixture at a known position relative to the wall, and configured, in response to sensing a magnetic field, to produce position signals indicative of a given position of the calibration position sensor. The interface circuitry is electrically coupled to the calibration position sensor, and is configured to output the position signals.