Abstract: The invention proposes a method for determining the actual length of an electrode in an electrical discharge forming machine, wherein the electrode is brought in contact with a contact element. An electric short circuit is triggered at a trigger point during the additional movement of the electrode toward the contact element such that the position of the free electrode end is determined due to the known position of the trigger point. The machine control determines the length of the electrode that protrudes from the electrode holder from the position of the electrode holder and the position of the trigger point.