Swiss units of measurement
A number of units of measurement were used in Switzerland to measure length, mass, etc. Metric system was optional in 1868, and has been compulsory since 1877. System before metric system Units were varied and were not in fixed values. During the transition to the metric system, units were fixed. Before 1856, almost every canton had its own system of units. Length A number of units were used to measure length. One pied (1 fuss) was equal to 0.30 m, according to the fixed value defined during the transition to the metric system. Some other units and their fixed values are given below: 1 ligne = 1/144 pied 1 linie = 1/144 pied 1 pouce = 1/12 pied 1 zoll = 1/12 pied 1 aune = 2 pied (or 4 pied) 1 elle = 2 pied 1 brache = 2 pied 1 toise = 6 pied 1 ruthe = 6 pied 1 perche = 16 pied (or 10 pied) 1 lieue = 16 000 pied. Lieue was used as a road measure. Area One arpent was 400 pied2 or 1.44 ha Mass A number of units were used to measure mass. Ordinary One livre (pfund of the Zollverein) was equal