The obsolete units of measurement of German-speaking countries consist of a variety of units, with varying local standard definitions. 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 (exactly) 500 grams.

The metric system became compulsory on January 1, 1872, in Germany and on January 1, 1876, in Austria.

Some obsolete German units have names similar to units that were traditionally used in other countries, and that are still used in the United Kingdom (imperial units) and 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 the local definitions on a wall of the city hall. For example, the front wall of the old city hall (still standing) has two marks which show the "Rudolstädter Elle"; it was to be used in that city. Supposedly by 1810, in Baden alone, there were 112 different standards for the Elle around Germany.