Methods to determine molecular weight averages and distributions of polymeric and oligomeric materials have been devised and developed over many decades. Most of the early classical techniques were primary methods which usually yield only a single molecular weight average, based on theory and measurable constants. Of the classical methods only ultracentrifugation can determine a molecular weight distribution. Secondary methods, which depend on the availability of calibration materials, have largely supplanted the older classical techniques. Methods based on fractionation, with molecular weight characterization of the fractions, or chromatography, with continuous determination of molecular weight, are currently used to generate molecular weight distributions. Newer methods based on dynamic light scattering and viscoelastic measurements are available to determine the molecular weight distribution of difficulty soluble materials. Development of methods to describe the molecular weight and compositional distribution of multimer polymers continues to be a vibrant research area.