German units of measurement

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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.[1]

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 in the United States (United States customary units).

German system

Before the introduction of the metric system in Germany, 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

"... 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 <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />115 equatorial degrees, equal to Script error: No such module "convert".. 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 Script error: No such module "val". (the Reichsmeile), but before then there were many local and regional variants (of which some are shown below):

Some kinds of Meile
Place MetricScript error: No such module "string".equivalent Notes
Breslau (Wrocław) Script error: No such module "val". Used in all Silesia[2][3]
Bavaria (Bayern) Script error: No such module "val". Connected to a <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />115 equatorial degree as 25,406 Bavarian feet.
Württemberg Script error: No such module "val".
Reichsmeile Script error: No such module "val". 'imperial mile' – New mile when the metric system was introduced. Prohibited by law in 1908.
Anhalt Script error: No such module "val".
Denmark, Prussia Script error: No such module "val". 24,000 Prussian feet. Also known as "(Dänische/Preußische) Landmeile". In 1816, king Frederick William III of Prussia adopted the Danish mile at Script error: No such module "val"., or Script error: No such module "val"..
Saxony (Sachsen) Script error: No such module "val". In the 17th–18th century or so, Script error: No such module "val". = Script error: No such module "val".; later Script error: No such module "val". (as in Prussia and the rest of Germany).
Schleswig-Holstein Script error: No such module "val".
Baden Script error: No such module "val". Script error: No such module "val". before 1810, Script error: No such module "val". before 1871
Hesse-Kassel Script error: No such module "val".
Lippe-Detmold Script error: No such module "val".
Saxony (Sachsen) Script error: No such module "val". Script error: No such module "val". (in the 19th century Script error: No such module "val"., see above).
Westfalia (Westfalen) Script error: No such module "val". but also Script error: No such module "val".
Oldenburg Script error: No such module "val".
Rhineland (Rheinland) Script error: No such module "val".
Palatinate (Pfalz) Script error: No such module "val".
Osnabrück/France Script error: No such module "val".
Wiesbaden Script error: No such module "val".

Wegstunde

One hour's travel, used up to the 19th century. In Germany <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />12 Meile or Script error: No such module "convert".. After 1722 in Saxony <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />12 post mile = 1000 Dresden rods = Script error: No such module "val"..[4] In Switzerland Script error: No such module "convert"..

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[5] gives the following values:

Some kinds of Fuß
Place Name Local equivalent Metric equivalent
 
Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle) Feldmaßfuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />16 Klafter Script error: No such module "val".
Aachen Baufuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Aargau, Canton of Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Aichstadt, Bavaria old Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Altona, Holstein Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Anspach, Bavaria Werkfuß Script error: No such module "val".
Appenzell, Canton of Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Aschaffenburg, Bavaria Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Augsburg, Bavaria Werkschuh Script error: No such module "val".
Baden Reichsfuß 10 Zoll, <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />110 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Baireuth, Bavaria Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Bamberg, Bavaria Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Basel, Canton of Stadtschuh Script error: No such module "val".
Bavaria Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Bergamo, Austria Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />16 Cavezzo Script error: No such module "val".
Berlin Prussian Reichsfuß Script error: No such module "val".[6]
Bern, Canton of gewöhnlicher Fuß 12 Zoll Script error: No such module "val".
Bern, Canton of Steinbrecherfuß 13 Zoll Script error: No such module "val".
Bohemia Fuß or Stopa Script error: No such module "val".
Bozen, Austria Tyroler-Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Braunschweig (Brunswick) Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Bremen Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Breslau old Silesian Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Bünden, Canton of churischer Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Calenberg Land Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Carlsruhe (as Baden) Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Cassel, Hessen Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />114 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Cleve, Prussia Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Cöln am Rhein (Cologne), Prussia Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Cremona, Austria old Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Danzig, Prussia old Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />12 Elle Script error: No such module "val".
Darmstadt Hessian Reichsfuß 10 Zoll Script error: No such module "val".
Darmstadt old Darmstadt Fuß 12 Zoll Script error: No such module "val".
Dordrecht, Netherlands Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Dresden, Saxony Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Duderstadt, Hanover Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Durlach (as Baden) Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Durlach old Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Emden, Hanover Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Erfurt, Prussia old Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />114 Feldruthe, <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Bauruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Frankfurt am Main Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Freiburg, Canton of Werkfuß 12 Zoll, <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />110 Werkklafter Script error: No such module "val".
Friedberg in der Wetterau, Oberhessen Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Friedrichsstadt, Denmark Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Fulda, Kurhessen Werkfuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />12 Elle Script error: No such module "val".
Genf (Geneva), Canton of Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />18 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Gießen, Oberhessen Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Glarus, Canton of Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Glatz, Prussia Werkfuß Script error: No such module "val".
Göttingen, Hanover Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Gotha, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Halle an der Saale, Prussia Werkfuß Script error: No such module "val".
Halle an der Saale, Prussia Feldfuß Script error: No such module "val".
Hamburg Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />16 Klafter, <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Geestruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Hanau, Hessen Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />225 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Hanover, capital of the Kingdom Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />12 Elle, <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Heidelberg, Baden Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Heilbronn, Württemberg Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Heiligenstadt, Prussia old Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Herford, Prussia old Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Hildesheim, Hanover Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Holstein Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Innsbruck, Austria Tyroler-Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Königsberg, Prussia old Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />115 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Krakau Fuß or Stopa Script error: No such module "val".
Lausanne, Canton of Waadt Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Leipzig, Saxony gewöhnlicher Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />12 Elle, <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />16 Klafter <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Lemberg, Austria Galizian Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Lemgo, Lippe Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Lindau, Bavaria Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Lindau, Bavaria Feldmeßschuh, Bauschuh Script error: No such module "val".
Linz, Austria Fuß Klafter Script error: No such module "val".
Lübeck Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Lucern, Canton of Fuß (for wood measure) Script error: No such module "val".
Lucern, Canton of Zimmerwerkschuh Script error: No such module "val".
Lucern, Canton of Bau- and Feldmeßschuh Script error: No such module "val".
Milan, Austria old Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Mainz, Hessen Werkfuß Script error: No such module "val".
Mainz, Hessen Kameralfuß (for firewood) Script error: No such module "val".
Mannheim, Baden Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Mecklenburg Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />12 Elle, <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Metz, France old Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Mühlhausen, Prussia Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Neufchatel, Principality of Werkfuß Script error: No such module "val".
Neufchatel, Principality of Feldmeßfuß Script error: No such module "val".
Nordhausen, Prussia old Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Nuremberg, Bavaria Stadtfuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Nuremberg, Bavaria Artillery Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Oldenburg Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />120 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Osnabrück, Hanover Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Padua, Austria Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />16 Cavezzo Script error: No such module "val".
Prague, Austria Bohemian Fuß or Česká stopa Script error: No such module "val".
Prussia, Rheinland Reichsfuß Script error: No such module "val".[6]
Ratzeburg, Mecklenburg-Schwerin Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Regensburg, Bavaria Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Rheinbaiern Fuß 12 Zoll, <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />13 metre Script error: No such module "val".
Rheinland Rheinländischer Fuß Script error: No such module "val".[6]
Rostock, Mecklenburg-Schwerin Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />12 Elle, <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Sanct Gallen, Canton of Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Schaffhausen, Canton of Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Silesia (Austrian part) Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Solothurn, Canton of Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Stade, Hanover Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Stettin, Prussia old Pomeranian Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Stralsund, Prussia old Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Strassburg, France Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Stuttgart Reichsfuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />12 Elle, <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />110 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Tessin, Canton of Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Thorn, Prussia old Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Trento, Austria Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Trier, Prussia Land- and Werkfuß Script error: No such module "val".
Trier, Prussia Waldfuß Script error: No such module "val".
Trier, Prussia Zimmermannsfuß Script error: No such module "val".
Tyrol, Austria Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Udine, Austria Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Ulm, Württemberg Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Venice, Austria Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />15 Passo Script error: No such module "val".
Verden, Hanover Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Verona, Austria Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />16 Cavezzo Script error: No such module "val".
Vienna, Austria Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />16 Klafter Script error: No such module "val".
Waadt, Canton of Fuß 10 Zoll, <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />110 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Wallis, Canton of Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Weimar Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Wesel, Prussia old Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Wetzlar, Prussia old Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Wiesbaden, Nassau Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Wismar, Mecklenburg-Schwerin Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Wittenberg, Prussia old Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Worbis, Prussia old Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Württemberg Reichsfuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />12 Elle, <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />110 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Würzburg, Bavaria Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />12 Elle Script error: No such module "val".
Zug, Canton of Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Zug, Canton of Steinfuß Script error: No such module "val".
Zürich, Canton of Fuß <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />16 Klafter, <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />110 Ruthe Script error: No such module "val".
Except where noted, based on Niemann (1830).[5] The values of the other local units mentioned also varied widely.

Rute (rod)

File:MuensterRathausPreussischeHalbeRute2805.jpg
A standard at the City Hall in Münster, Germany from 1816; the bar shown is one "Prussian half rod" long.

The Rute or Ruthe is of Carolingian origin,Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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[5] lists the following:

Some kinds of Ruthe
Place Name Local equivalent Metric equivalent
Aachen (Aix-la-Capelle) Feldmeßruthe 16 Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Baden Ruthe 10 Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Basel, Canton of Ruthe 16 Fuss Script error: No such module "val".
Bern, Canton of Ruthe 10 Fuss Script error: No such module "val".
Braunschweig (Brunswick) Ruthe 16 Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Bremen Ruthe 8 Ellen or 16 Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Calenberg Ruthe 16 Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Cassel, Hessen Ruthe 14 Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Hamburg Geestruthe 16 Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Hamburg Marschruthe 14 Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Hannover Ruthe 16 Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Lever, Oldenburg Ruthe 20 Fuß Template:Va
Mecklenburg Ruthe 16 Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Nuremberg, Bavaria Ruthe 16 Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Oldenburg Ruthe 20 Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Prussia, Rheinland Ruthe 12 Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Saxony Ruthe 16 Leipziger Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Württemberg Reichsruthe 10 Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Württemberg old Ruthe 16 Fuß Script error: No such module "val".
Zürich, Canton of Ruthe 10 Fuss Script error: No such module "val".
Except where noted, based on Niemann (1830).[5] The value of the local Fuß also varied widely.

Klafter

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". Typically 6 feet. Regional variants from Script error: No such module "val". in Baden to Script error: No such module "val". in Switzerland.

Lachter

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". 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 Script error: No such module "val"..

Elle (ell)

Distance between elbow and fingertip. In the North, often 2 feet, In Prussia <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />178 feet, in the South variable, often <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />2+12 feet. The smallest known German Elle is Script error: No such module "convert"., the longest Script error: No such module "convert"..

Zoll (inch)

Usually <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />112 foot, but also <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />111 and <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />110.

Linie

Usually <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />112 inch, but also <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />110.

Volume

Quent

Being 1/5 of any measure

Malter

Is a larger volume 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 [1].

Klafter

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". For firewood, Script error: No such module "convert".

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 Script error: No such module "convert"., so a nösel in Dresden was about Script error: No such module "convert".. The full volume of a "Leipzig jar" measured Script error: No such module "convert".; the Leipzig nösel was therefore Script error: No such module "convert"..

<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1320 Ahm = <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />164 Eimer = <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Viertel = <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />18 Stübchen / Stauf = <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />14 Kannen = <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />12 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 Script error: No such module "convert".

Mass

Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Pfund

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".

  • Pfund (Prussia): Script error: No such module "val".
  • Zollpfund: Script error: No such module "val".

Mark

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />12 Pfund. Equal to Script error: No such module "val". (Cologne).

Unze

<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Pfund. Roughly equal to Script error: No such module "val"..

Loth

<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />132 Pfund, or <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />116 Mark. Equal to Script error: No such module "val". (Prussia).

Quentchen

<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />196 Pfund. Roughly equal to Script error: No such module "val"..

Quint

<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1128 Pfund. Roughly equal to Script error: No such module "val"..

Pfennig

<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1512 Pfund. Roughly equal to Script error: No such module "val"..

Gran

<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />17690 Pfund. Roughly equal to Script error: No such module "val"..

See also

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. a b c d Niemann, Friedrich (1830) Vollständiges Handbuch der Münzen, Masse, und Gewichte aller Länder der Erde fur Kaufleute, Banquiers ...: in alphabetischer Ordnung. Quedlinburg und Leipzig, G. Basse. p. 286
  6. a b c Template:Harvp

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Bibliography

  • François Cardarelli: Encyclopedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. Springer, Berlin 2003. Template:ISBN
  • Helmut Kahnt, Bernd Knorr: Alte Masse, Münzen und Gewichte. . Bibliographisches Institut Mannheim/Wien/Zürich 1987. (Lizenzausgabe von VEB Bibliographisches Institut Leipzig 1986) Template:In lang
  • Wolfgang Trapp: Kleines Handbuch der Maße, Zahlen Gewichte und der Zeitrechnung. Von . Reclam Stuttgart, 2. Auflage 1996. Template:ISBN Template:In lang
  • Günther Scholz, Klaus Vogelsang: Kleines Lexikon: Einheiten, Formelzeichen. Fachbuchverlag Leipzig 1991 Template:ISBN Template:In lang
  • 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. Template:ISBN Template:In lang
  • Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

External links

Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Authority control