The values of the fourth order elastic moduli (FOEM) for the diamond structure elements, silicon and germanium, have been calculated. The derivation utilizes the Keating model, assuming that both the third and fourth order terms in the interaction potential are composed of a bond‐stretch, an angle‐bend, and a mixed bond‐stretch angle‐bend term. The three force constants in the fourth order interaction potential are evaluated from the measurements of the sound velocity under pressure, hence, numerical values for all 11 FOEM may be obtained. The set of FOEM thus calculated shows markedly different characteristics than the analogous quantities for other materials, e.g., the alkali halides. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.