The Q(1)–Q(4) electric quadrupole transitions of the first overtone band of H 2 have been recorded for six pressure values up to 640Torr, by CW-Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy near 8000cm −1 . The noise equivalent absorption of the spectra is on the order of α min ≈5×10 −12 cm −1 . Line intensities derived from a profile fit accounting for Dicke narrowing effects, range from 1.0×10 −29 to 2.6×10 −27 cm/molecule for the Q(4) and Q(1) line, respectively. The claimed absolute uncertainty on the derived line positions and on the line strengths are of the order of 0.001cm −1 and 1%, respectively. The pressure line shifts of the four lines were derived allowing for an accurate determination of the position at zero pressure limit. The obtained positions and intensities agree within the experimental uncertainty with the most recent theoretical calculations including non-adiabatic, relativistic and quantum electrodynamical effects. The present frequency determinations confirm the high accuracy of these calculations. From the pressure dependence of the baseline of the CRDS spectra, the self continuum cross section of the collision induced absorption band of H 2 is determined in the vicinity of the Q(1) line. The derived cross section is found in good agreement with recent theoretical values.