The parameters of shock waves in liquids as used for lithotripsy have been measured with needle‐, membrane‐, and fiber optic probe hydrophones. The true rise times of planar shock waves are determined by surface detection or by the transient response of piezoelectric crystals. The different measuring techniques are compared with respect to their suitability for the determination of shock wave parameters, such as risetime, pulse width, positive and negative pressure amplitudes, and also with respect to aging, calibration sensitivity lifetime, etc. The fiber optic probe hydrophone appears as an optimum high precision standard for calibrated shock wave measurements in lithotripsy. Finally, aspects of the shock parameters with respect to the stone destruction efficiency are discussed.