A handheld instrument and a mobile device for x-ray fluorescence analysis has a housing and a handle, having an x-ray fluorescence measurement device by which a primary beam is directed onto a measurement surface of a measurement object through an outlet window, a detector which detects the secondary radiation emitted by the measurement surface, and a data processing device which controls a display. The outlet window on a front-side end of a first housing section and a positioning element is on the first housing section. A support element is on a further housing section, at a distance to the outlet window. The handheld instrument is aligned with respect to the measurement surface after the positioning on the measurement surface by the positioning element. The support element is positioned autonomously with respect to the measurement surface in a measurement position.