Ethiopian units of measurement


A number of different units of measurement have been used in Ethiopia. The values of the most of these units are not well defined. In 1963, Ethiopia adopted the metric system.

Pre-metric era

These units have also been referred to as Abyssinian units of measurements.

Length

Different units were used to measure length. Values provided below are approximations only as these units were often not well-defined.
1 pic = 0.686 metres
1 farsang = 5070 m
1 berri = farsang

Mass

A number of units were used to measure mass. One rottolo is approximately equal to 0.311 kilograms. Some other units are provided below.
1 drachm = rotto
1 derime = rotto
1 wakea = rotto
1 mocha = rotto

Capacity

Two types of measuring system were used, one for dry measures and one for liquid measures.

Dry

Different units were used to measure dry capacities. One madega is approximately equal to 0.44 litres.
1 ardeb = 10 or 24 madega

Liquids

The kuba is approximately equal to 1.016 litres.

Household units

More than 70 different units are used in an ordinary household. Some of the more important units used are kilograms, kunna, medeb, esir, bobo, pieces, litres, tassa, kubaya, birchiko, sini, bottles, guchiye, sahen and weket.
Details for some of the common units of measurements are given below: