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German units of measurement

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{{More footnotes|date=February 2012}}

The units of measurement of German-speaking countries consist of a variety of units, with varying local standard definitions. While many were made redundant with the introduction of the metric system, some of these units are still used in everyday speech and even in stores and on street markets as shorthand for similar amounts in the metric system. For example, some customers ask for one pound (ein Pfund) of something when they want 500 grams.

The metric system became compulsory on 1 January 1872, in Germany and on 1 January 1876, in Austria.{{cite book|last=Barnard|first=Frederick Augustus Porter|author-link=Frederick Augustus Porter Barnard|title=The Metric system of weights and measures|url=https://archive.org/details/metricsystemwei00barngoog|access-date=27 February 2012|year=1879|publisher=American Metric Bureau|pages=[https://archive.org/details/metricsystemwei00barngoog/page/n232 220]–2}}

Some obsolete German units have names similar to units that were traditionally used in other countries, and that are still used in a limited number of cases in the United Kingdom (imperial units) and fully in the United States (United States customary units).

German system

Before the introduction of the metric system in German, almost every town had its own definitions of the units shown below. Often towns posted local definitions on a wall of the city hall. For example, the front wall of the old city hall of Rudolstadt (still standing) has two marks which show the “Rudolstädter Elle”, the proper length of the Elle in that city. Supposedly by 1810 there were 112 different standards for the Elle around Germany. {{citation needed|date=April 2012}}

“...the measure of cloth, for example, was elle which in each region stood for a different length. An elle of textile material brought in Frankfurt would get you 54.7 cm of cloth, in Mainz 55.1 cm, in Nuremberg 65.6 cm, in Freiburg 53.5 cm...”

Length

=''Meile'' (mile)=

A German geographic mile (geographische Meile) is defined as {{frac|1|15}} equatorial degrees, equal to {{convert|7420.54|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=on}}. A common German mile, land mile, or post mile (Gemeine deutsche Meile, Landmeile, Postmeile) was defined in various ways at different places and different times. After the introduction of the metric system in the 19th century, the Landmeile was generally fixed at {{convert|7500|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} (the Reichsmeile), but before then there were many local and regional variants (of which some are shown below):

class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"

!colspan="3"|Some kinds of Meile

width=180 |Place

! width=140 |Distance
in metres (feet)

! width=500 |Notes

Breslau (Wrocław)

| align="center"| {{convert|6700|m|ft|abbr=on}}

|Used in all Silesia{{

Cite book

| title=Encyklopedia Wrocławia

| date=2000

| publisher=Wydawn. Dolnośląskie

| first=Jan

| last=Harasimowicz

| authorlink=:pl:Jan Harasimowicz

| first2=Włodzimierz

| last2=Suleja

| authorlink2=:pl:Włodzimierz Suleja

| isbn=9788370237493

| edition=Wyd. 1

| location=Wrocław

| oclc=46420892

| language=pl

}}{{

Cite book

| title=Mikrokosmos : portret miasta środkowoeuropejskiego : Vratislava, Breslau, Wrocław

| date=2002

| publisher=Wydawn. Znak

| first=Norman

| last=Davies

| authorlink=:en:Norman Davies

| first2=Roger

| last2=Moorhouse

| authorlink2=:en:Roger Moorhouse

| translator-first=Andrzej

| translator-last=Pawelec

| isbn=9788324001729

| edition=Wyd. 1

| location=Kraków

| oclc=50928641

| language=pl

}}

Bavaria (Bayern)

| align="center" |{{convert|7415|m|ft|abbr=on}}

|Connected to a {{frac|1|15}} equatorial degree as 25,406 Bavarian feet.

Württemberg

| align="center" |{{convert|7449|m|ft|abbr=on}}

Reichsmeile

| align="center" |{{convert|7.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}
{{convert|7500|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

|'imperial mile' – New mile when the metric system was introduced. Prohibited by law in 1908.

Anhalt

| align="center" |{{convert|7532|m|ft|abbr=on}}

Denmark, Prussia

| align="center" |{{convert|7532|m|ft|abbr=on}}

|24,000 Prussian feet. Also known as "(Dänische/Preußische) Landmeile". In 1816, king Frederick William III of Prussia adopted the Danish mile at {{convert|7532|m|ft|abbr=on}}, or 24,000 Prussian feet.

Saxony (Sachsen)

| align="center" |{{convert|7500|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

|In the 17th–18th century or so, {{convert|9062|m|ft|abbr=on}} = 32,000 (Saxon) feet; later {{convert|7500|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} (as in Prussia and the rest of Germany).

Schleswig-Holstein

| align="center" |{{convert|8803|m|ft|abbr=on}}

Baden

| align="center" |{{convert|8000|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

|8889 m before 1810, {{convert|8944|m|ft|abbr=on}} before 1871

Hesse-Kassel

| align="center" |{{convert|9206|m|ft|abbr=on}}

Lippe-Detmold

| align="center" |{{convert|9264|m|ft|abbr=on}}

Saxony (Sachsen)

| align="center" |{{convert|9062|m|ft|abbr=on}}

|32,000 (Saxon) feet (in the 19th century {{convert|7500|m|ft|0|abbr=on|disp=or}} see above).

Westfalia (Westfalen)

| align="center" |{{convert|11,100|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

|but also {{convert|9250|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

Oldenburg

| align="center" |{{convert|9894|m|ft|abbr=on}}

Rhineland (Rheinland)

| align="center" |{{convert|4119|m|ft|abbr=on}}

Palatinate (Pfalz)

| align="center" |{{convert|4630|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

Osnabrück/France

| align="center" |{{convert|5160|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

Wiesbaden

| align="center" |{{convert|1000|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}

=''Wegstunde''=

One hour's travel, used up to the 19th century. In Germany {{frac|1|2}} Meile or {{convert|3.71|km|mi|abbr=on|lk=on}}. After 1722 in Saxony {{frac|1|2}} post mile = 1000 Dresden rods = 4531 m.{{cite web | url = http://www.poststrassen-erleben.de/geschichten/historie-der-postsaeulen.html | title = Historie der Postsäulen | publisher = Forschungsgruppe Kursächsische Postmeilensäulen e.V. und 1. Sächsischer Postkutschenverein e.V. | language = de | access-date = 5 February 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170205182410/http://www.poststrassen-erleben.de/geschichten/historie-der-postsaeulen.html | archive-date = 5 February 2017 | url-status = dead }} In Switzerland {{convert|16,000|ft|km|sigfig=3|abbr=on|disp=or}}.

=''Fuß'' (foot)=

The Fuß or German foot varied widely from place to place in the German-speaking world, and also with time. In some places, more than one type of Fuß was in use. One source from 1830 gives the following values:

class="wikitable sortable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"

!colspan="4"|Some kinds of Fuß

width=180 |Place

! width=140 |Name

! width=150 |Local equivalent

! width=120 |Metric (Imperial/US) equivalents

 

!

!

!

Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle)

| Feldmaßfuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|6}} Klafter

| align="center" | {{convert|282|mm|in|2|abbr=on|lk=on}}

Aachen

| Baufuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|16}} Ruthe

| align="center" | {{convert|288|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Aargau, Canton of

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|300|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Aichstadt, Bavaria

| old Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|307|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Altona, Holstein

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|286|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Anspach, Bavaria

| Werkfuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|299|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Appenzell, Canton of

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|313|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Aschaffenburg, Bavaria

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|288|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Augsburg, Bavaria

| Werkschuh

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|296|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Baden

| Reichsfuß

| align="right" | 10 Zoll, {{frac|1|10}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|300|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Baireuth, Bavaria

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|298|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Bamberg, Bavaria

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|303|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Basel, Canton of

| Stadtschuh

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|304|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Bavaria

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|292|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Bergamo, Austria

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|6}} Cavezzo

| align="center" |{{convert|435|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Berlin

| Prussian Reichsfuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|313.8536|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Bern, Canton of

| gewöhnlicher Fuß

| align="right" | 12 Zoll

| align="center" |{{convert|298|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Bern, Canton of

| Steinbrecherfuß

| align="right" | 13 Zoll

| align="center" |{{convert|317|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Bohemia

| Fuß or Stopa

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|296|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Bozen, Austria

| Tyroler-Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|334|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Braunschweig (Brunswick)

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|16}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|285|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Bremen

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|16}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|289|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Breslau

| old Silesian Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|16}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|283|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Bünden, Canton of

| churischer Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|322|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Calenberg Land

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|16}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|292|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Carlsruhe (as Baden)

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|300|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Cassel, Hessen

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|14}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|287|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Cleve, Prussia

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|295|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Cöln am Rhein (Cologne), Prussia

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|287|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Cremona, Austria

| old Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|480|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Danzig, Prussia

| old Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|2}} Elle

| align="center" |{{convert|287|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Darmstadt

| Hessian Reichsfuß

| align="right" | 10 Zoll

| align="center" |{{convert|250|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Darmstadt

| old Darmstadt Fuß

| align="right" | 12 Zoll

| align="center" |{{convert|288|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Dordrecht, Netherlands

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|361|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Dresden, Saxony

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|260|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Duderstadt, Hanover

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|290|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Durlach (as Baden)

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|300|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Durlach

| old Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|291|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Emden, Hanover

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|296|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Erfurt, Prussia

| old Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|14}} Feldruthe, {{frac|1|16}} Bauruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|283|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Frankfurt am Main

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|285|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Freiburg, Canton of

| Werkfuß

| align="right" | 12 Zoll, {{frac|1|10}} Werkklafter

| align="center" |{{convert|293|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Friedberg in der Wetterau, Oberhessen

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|291|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Friedrichsstadt, Denmark

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|296|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Fulda, Kurhessen

| Werkfuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|2}} Elle

| align="center" |{{convert|250|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Genf (Geneva), Canton of

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|8}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|325|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Gießen, Oberhessen

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|298|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Glarus, Canton of

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|300|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Glatz, Prussia

| Werkfuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|287|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Göttingen, Hanover

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|291|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Gotha, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|287|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Halle an der Saale, Prussia

| Werkfuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|288|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Halle an der Saale, Prussia

| Feldfuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|433|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Hamburg

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|6}} Klafter, {{frac|1|16}} Geestruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|286|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Hanau, Hessen

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|2|25}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|285|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Hanover, capital of the Kingdom

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|2}} Elle, {{frac|1|16}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|292|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Heidelberg, Baden

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|278|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Heilbronn, Württemberg

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|278|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Heiligenstadt, Prussia

| old Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|283|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Herford, Prussia

| old Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|295|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Hildesheim, Hanover

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|16}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|280|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Holstein

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|296|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Innsbruck, Austria

| Tyroler-Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|317|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Königsberg, Prussia

| old Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|15}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|307|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Krakau

| Fuß or Stopa

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|356|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Lausanne, Canton of Waadt

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|293|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Leipzig, Saxony

| gewöhnlicher Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|2}} Elle, {{frac|1|6}} Klafter {{frac|1|16}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|282|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Lemberg, Austria

| Galizian Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|297|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Lemgo, Lippe

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|287|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Lindau, Bavaria

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|307|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Lindau, Bavaria

| Feldmeßschuh, Bauschuh

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|289|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Linz, Austria

| Fuß

| align="right" | Klafter

| align="center" |{{convert|303|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Lübeck

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|291|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Lucern, Canton of

| Fuß (for wood measure)

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|314|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Lucern, Canton of

| Zimmerwerkschuh

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|304|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Lucern, Canton of

| Bau- and Feldmeßschuh

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|284|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Milan, Austria

| old Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|398|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Mainz, Hessen

| Werkfuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|314|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Mainz, Hessen

| Kameralfuß (for firewood)

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|287|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Mannheim, Baden

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|290|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Mecklenburg

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|2}} Elle, {{frac|1|16}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|291|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Metz, France

| old Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|406|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Mühlhausen, Prussia

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|16}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|281|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Neufchatel, Principality of

| Werkfuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|293|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Neufchatel, Principality of

| Feldmeßfuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|318|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Nordhausen, Prussia

| old Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|292|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Nuremberg, Bavaria

| Stadtfuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|16}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|304|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Nuremberg, Bavaria

| Artillery Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|292|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Oldenburg

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|20}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|296|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Osnabrück, Hanover

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|279|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Padua, Austria

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|6}} Cavezzo

| align="center" |{{convert|428|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Prague, Austria

| Bohemian Fuß or Česká stopa

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|296|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Prussia, Rheinland

| Reichsfuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|313.8536|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}{{harvp|Tate|1868|p=49}}

Ratzeburg, Mecklenburg-Schwerin

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|291|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Regensburg, Bavaria

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|313|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Rheinbaiern

| Fuß

| align="right" | 12 Zoll, {{frac|1|3}} metre

| align="center" |{{convert|333|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Rheinland

| Rheinländischer Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|313.8536|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Rostock, Mecklenburg-Schwerin

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|2}} Elle, {{frac|1|16}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|286|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Sanct Gallen, Canton of

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|313|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Schaffhausen, Canton of

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|298|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Silesia (Austrian part)

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|289|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Solothurn, Canton of

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|293|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Stade, Hanover

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|291|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Stettin, Prussia

| old Pomeranian Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|285|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Stralsund, Prussia

| old Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|291|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Strassburg, France

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|289|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Stuttgart

| Reichsfuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|2}} Elle, {{frac|1|10}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|286|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Tessin, Canton of

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|397|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Thorn, Prussia

| old Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|297|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Trento, Austria

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|366|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Trier, Prussia

| Land- and Werkfuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|294|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Trier, Prussia

| Waldfuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|310|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Trier, Prussia

| Zimmermannsfuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|305|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Tyrol, Austria

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|334|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Udine, Austria

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|329|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Ulm, Württemberg

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|289|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Venice, Austria

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|5}} Passo

| align="center" |{{convert|348|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Verden, Hanover

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|291|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Verona, Austria

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|6}} Cavezzo

| align="center" |{{convert|347|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Vienna, Austria

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|6}} Klafter

| align="center" |{{convert|316|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Waadt, Canton of

| Fuß

| align="right" | 10 Zoll, {{frac|1|10}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|300|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Wallis, Canton of

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|325|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Weimar

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|282|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Wesel, Prussia

| old Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|236|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Wetzlar, Prussia

| old Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|274|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Wiesbaden, Nassau

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|288|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Wismar, Mecklenburg-Schwerin

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|292|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Wittenberg, Prussia

| old Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|283|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Worbis, Prussia

| old Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|286|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Württemberg

| Reichsfuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|2}} Elle, {{frac|1|10}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|286|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Würzburg, Bavaria

| Fuß

| align="right" | {{frac|1|2}} Elle

| align="center" |{{convert|294|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Zug, Canton of

| Fuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|301|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Zug, Canton of

| Steinfuß

| align="right" |

| align="center" |{{convert|268|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

Zürich, Canton of

| Fuß

| align="right" |{{frac|1|6}} Klafter, {{frac|1|10}} Ruthe

| align="center" |{{convert|301|mm|in|2|abbr=on|lk=on}}

colspan=4 style= "font-size:smaller" | Except where noted, based on Niemann (1830). The values of the other local units mentioned also varied widely.

=''Rute'' (rod)=

File:MuensterRathausPreussischeHalbeRute2805.jpg, Germany from 1816; the bar shown is one "Prussian half rod" long.]]

The Rute or Ruthe is of Carolingian origin,{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}} and was used as a land measure. Many different kinds of Ruthe were used at various times in various parts of the German-speaking world. They were subdivided into differing numbers of local Fuß, and were of many different lengths. One source from 1830 lists the following:{{clear}}

class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"

!colspan="4"|Some kinds of Ruthe

width=180 |Place

! width=140 |Name

! width=150 |Local equivalent

! width=120 |Metric (Imperial/US) equivalents

Aachen (Aix-la-Capelle)

| Feldmeßruthe

| align="right" | 16 Fuß

| align="center" | {{convert|4.512|m|ftin|abbr=on|lk=on}}

Baden

| Ruthe

| align="right" | 10 Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Basel, Canton of

| Ruthe

| align="right" | 16 Fuss

| align="center" |{{convert|4.864|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Bern, Canton of

| Ruthe

| align="right" | 10 Fuss

| align="center" |{{convert|2.932|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Braunschweig (Brunswick)

| Ruthe

| align="right" | 16 Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|4.565|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Bremen

| Ruthe

| align="right" | 8 Ellen or 16 Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|4.626|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Calenberg

| Ruthe

| align="right" | 16 Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|4.677|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Cassel, Hessen

| Ruthe

| align="right" | 14 Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|4.026|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Hamburg

| Geestruthe

| align="right" | 16 Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|4.583|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Hamburg

| Marschruthe

| align="right" | 14 Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|4.010|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Hannover

| Ruthe

| align="right" | 16 Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|4.671|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Lever, Oldenburg

| Ruthe

| align="right" | 20 Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|4.377|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Mecklenburg

| Ruthe

| align="right" | 16 Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|4.655|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Nuremberg, Bavaria

| Ruthe

| align="right" | 16 Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|4.861|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Oldenburg

| Ruthe

| align="right" | 20 Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|5.927|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Prussia, Rheinland

| Ruthe

| align="right" | 12 Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|3.766|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Saxony

| Ruthe

| align="right" | 16 Leipziger Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|4.512|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Württemberg

| Reichsruthe

| align="right" | 10 Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|2.865|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Württemberg

| old Ruthe

| align="right" | 16 Fuß

| align="center" |{{convert|4.583|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

Zürich, Canton of

| Ruthe

| align="right" | 10 Fuss

| align="center" |{{convert|3.009|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

colspan=4 style= "font-size:smaller" | Except where noted, based on Niemann (1830). The value of the local Fuß also varied widely.

=''Klafter'' =

{{Main|Klafter}}

Originally 6 feet, after introduction of the metric system 10 feet.{{dubious|reason=there are no feet in the metric system|date=June 2022}} Regional variants from {{convert|1.75|m|abbr=on}} in Baden to {{convert|3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} in Switzerland.

=''Lachter''=

{{Main|Lachter}}

The Lachter was the most common unit of length used in mining in German-speaking areas. Its exact length varied from place to place but was roughly between {{convert|1.9|and|2.1|m}}.

=''Elle'' (ell)=

Distance between elbow and fingertip. In the North, often 2 feet, In Prussia {{frac|17|8}} feet, in the South variable, often {{frac|2|1|2}} feet. The smallest known German Elle is {{convert|402.8|mm|in|abbr=on|lk=on}}, the longest {{convert|811|mm|in|abbr=on}}.

=''Zoll'' (inch)=

Usually {{frac|1|12}} foot, but also {{frac|1|11}} and {{frac|1|10}}.

=''Linie''=

Usually {{frac|1|12}} inch, but also {{frac|1|10}}.

Volume

=''Quent''=

Being 1/5 of any measure

=''Malter''=

Is a larger volumen unit of around one large sack of wheat a person could carry. However, the exact volumetric size and weight was locally very different in each feudal state. For more details, see [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malter_(Einheit)].

=''Klafter''=

{{Main|Klafter}}

For firewood, {{convert|2.905|m3|cuft|abbr=on}}

=''Nösel''=

In general, the Nösel (also spelled Össel) was a measure of liquid volume equal to half a Kanne ("jar," "jug," "bottle," "can"). Volume often varied depending on whether it was beer or wine. Its subdivisions were the Halbnösel ("Half-Nösel") and the Viertelnösel ("Quarter-Nösel).

An Ahm was a measure used for wine or beer. An Eimer ("Bucket") was a container that was a fifth of an Ahm. A Viertel ("Fourth") was a fourth of an Eimer. A Stübchen ("Cozy Room") also a Stauf was a measure of wine or beer that was equal to 2 Kannen. It was the approximate amount of wine or beer that could serve an entire room in a tavern. A Kanne was a measure of wine or beer large enough to fill a humpen (tankard) or krug (wine flagon or beer pitcher). A Quartier ("quarter-measure") was a fourth of a Stübchen. A Nösel was a cup or mug of wine or beer.

Actual volumes so measured, however, varied from one state or even one city to another. Within Saxony, for example, the "Dresden jar" held approximately {{convert|1|USqt|L impqt|lk=on|disp=or}}, so a nösel in Dresden was about {{convert|1|USpt|L imppt}}. The full volume of a "Leipzig jar" measured {{convert|1.2|L|USqt impqt|sp=us}}; the Leipzig nösel was therefore {{convert|0.6|L|USqt impqt|sp=us}}.

:{{frac|1|320}} Ahm = {{frac|1|64}} Eimer = {{frac|1|16}} Viertel = {{frac|1|8}} Stübchen / Stauf = {{frac|1|4}} Kannen = {{frac|1|2}} Quartiers = 1 Nösel = 2 Halbnöseln = 4 Viertelnöseln

The nösel was used in minor commerce, as well as in the household to measure meal, grain, and such. These units of measure were officially valid in Saxony until 1868, when the metric system was introduced. Nevertheless, the old measures have continued in private use for decades.

One modification was introduced in Thuringia. There, the nösel was, by extension, also a measure of area; namely, the area of land which could be sown with one nösel of seed — or about {{convert|19.36|sqyd|m2 acre}}

Weight

{{More citations needed|section|date=September 2023}}

=''Pfund''=

{{main|Zollpfund}}

  • Pfund (Prussia): {{Val|467.711|ul=g}}
  • Zollpfund: {{Val|500|ul=g}}

=''Mark''=

{{Main|Mark (unit)|Cologne mark}}

{{frac|1|2}} Pfund. Equal to {{Val|233.856|ul=g}} (Cologne).

=''Unze''=

{{frac|1|16}} of a Pfund. Roughly equal to {{Val|29.23|ul=g}}.

=''Loth''=

{{frac|1|32}} of a Pfund, or {{frac|1|16}} of a Mark. Equal to {{Val|14.606|ul=g}} (Prussia).

=''Quentchen''=

{{frac|1|96}} of a Pfund. Roughly equal to {{Val|4.872|ul=g}}.

=''Quint''=

{{frac|1|128}} of a Pfund. Roughly equal to {{Val|3.65|ul=g}}.

=''Pfennig''=

{{frac|1|512}} of a Pfund. Roughly equal to {{Val|0.9135|ul=g}}.

=''Gran''=

{{frac|1|7690}} of a Pfund. Roughly equal to {{Val|0.0609|ul=g}}.

See also

References

{{Reflist|refs=

Niemann, Friedrich (1830) [https://books.google.com/books?id=iro2AAAAMAAJ Vollständiges Handbuch der Münzen, Masse, und Gewichte aller Länder der Erde fur Kaufleute, Banquiers ... : in alphabetischer Ordnung]. Quedlinburg und Leipzig, G. Basse. p. 286

}}

Bibliography

  • François Cardarelli: Encyclopedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. Springer, Berlin 2003. {{ISBN|1-85233-682-X}}
  • Helmut Kahnt, Bernd Knorr: Alte Masse, Münzen und Gewichte. . Bibliographisches Institut Mannheim/Wien/Zürich 1987. (Lizenzausgabe von VEB Bibliographisches Institut Leipzig 1986) {{in lang|de}}
  • Wolfgang Trapp: Kleines Handbuch der Maße, Zahlen Gewichte und der Zeitrechnung. Von . Reclam Stuttgart, 2. Auflage 1996. {{ISBN|3-15-008737-6}} {{in lang|de}}
  • Günther Scholz, Klaus Vogelsang: Kleines Lexikon: Einheiten, Formelzeichen. Fachbuchverlag Leipzig 1991 {{ISBN|3-343-00500-2}} {{in lang|de}}
  • Johann Christian Nelkenbrechers Taschenbuch eines Banquiers und Kaufmanns: enthaltend eine Erklärung aller ein- und ausländischen Münzen, des Wechsel-Courses, Usos, Respect-Tage und anderer zur Handlung gehörigen Dinge; mit einer genauen Vergleichung des Ellen-Maaßes, Handels-, Gold- und Silber-Gewichts, auch Maaße von Getreide und flüssigen Sachen derer fürnehmsten europäischen Handels-Plätze. Nachdruck der Ausgabe 1769: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, Düsseldorf 2004. {{ISBN|3-936755-58-2}} {{in lang|de}}
  • {{cite book |author=William Tate |year=1868 |title=The Modern Cambist: Forming a Manual of Foreign Exchanges, in the Different Operations of Bills of Exchange and Bullion, According to the Practice of All Trading Nations, with Tables of Foreign Weights and Measures, and Their Equivalents in English and French |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3o9AAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA49 |ref={{harvid|Tate|1868}}}}

External links

  • [http://ikar.sbb.spk-berlin.de/werkzeugkasten/sonderregeln/4_3.htm Projekt zur Erschliessung historisch wertvoller Altkartenbestände] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172241/http://ikar.sbb.spk-berlin.de/werkzeugkasten/sonderregeln/4_3.htm |date=2016-03-03 }} {{in lang|de}}

{{Systems of measurement}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Systems of units

Category:Science and technology in Germany

German obsolete units of measurement

German obsolete units of measurement

Category:Units of measurement of the Holy Roman Empire