Abstract: The invention relates to a method of operating a metering device (1) for metered dispensing of pumpable media, in particular of color pigment preparations, the metering device (1) comprising a dispensing means (2), which is in fluid connection with a plurality of canisters (3), wherein said metering device (1) comprises a controller (8) by means of which at defined times a defined dispensing volume of the medium is drawn from at least one of said canisters (3) and conveyed to said dispensing means (2) by means of a conveyor (10), wherein, in particular, by means of said controller (8) also an actual fill level is determined and/or calculated depending on a dispensing volume drawn from the respective canister (3).