A method for measuring the length of a line as well as apparatus for carrying out the method

The invention relates to a method for measuring a distance (S), particularly an optical distance measuring method in which an input means (24, 42) of a distance measuring device (20, 22) is actuated, which triggers a sequence of distance measurements, while the (of the distance-measuring apparatus carried triggered 20, 22) individual measurements (10-16) of distances of the measuring device (20, 22) transverse to the line to be measured (s). According to the invention it is proposed that at least one maximum value (10, 16) and at least one minimum value (13) of the distances from the measurement result is determined and from the at least one maximum value (10, 16) and the at least one minimum value (13) the length of the path (s) is determined. Moreover, the invention relates to a distance measuring device (20, 22), in particular a hand-held measuring device, for implementing the method.