This part of ISO 11146 specifies methods for measuring beam widths (diameter), divergence angles and beam propagation ratios of laser beams in support of ISO 11146-1. It provides the theoretical description of laser beam characterization based on the second-order moments of the Wigner distribution, including geometrical and intrinsic beam characterization, and offers important details for proper background subtraction methods recommendable for matrix detectors such as CCD cameras. It also presents alternative methods for the characterization of stigmatic or simple astigmatic beams that are applicable where matrix detectors are unavailable or deliver unsatisfying results.