Methods for measuring electrostrictive coefficients are discussed and a set of converse method measurements on low-K dielectrics presented. The Q(11) values measured in this work, in m(4)/C-2, range from -0.49 for CaF2 through smaller values like 0.34 for MgO up to 1.48 for BeO. Coefficients for BaF2, SrF2, KMnF3, Al2O3, LiF, spodumene (Li2O . Al2O3 . 4SiO(2)) glass, and calcite (CaCO3) are also presented. The separated Q(ij) coefficients measured here are in good agreement with confirmed measurements available in the literature. Most of the non-cubic samples have been measured here reliably for the first time. A simple ion-chain model of electrostriction is also presented, and the results compared to experimental values of the hydrostatic electrostriction coefficient Q(h).