Lutter (Lachte)

Lutter is a historical German weight and volume measurement. The term "Lutter" could refer to either a liquid or dry measure, though its exact value varied significantly depending on the region and the commodity being measured. It was predominantly used in the Holy Roman Empire and its successor states.

The term "Lachte" is related, although it typically refers to a cubic measure of wood, equivalent to a cord. The relationship between "Lutter" and "Lachte" is not direct in terms of standardized conversion; however, both represent traditional units of measurement prevalent in German-speaking regions prior to metrication.

The value of a Lutter could range from a fraction of a liter to several liters, while the value of a Lachte also varied but generally indicated a substantial pile of firewood, typically around 2 to 4 cubic meters. Accurate conversion to modern metric units requires specific knowledge of the region and context in which the term was used. With the advent of the German Empire and subsequent adoption of the metric system, the use of Lutter and Lachte gradually declined and were eventually replaced by liters and cubic meters, respectively. Despite their disuse, these terms are encountered in historical documents and literature, necessitating an understanding of their meaning for accurate interpretation.