Abstract: A method and to a device for processing a 3D point cloud representing surroundings, which is generated by a sensor. Initially, starting cells are identified based on ascertained starting ground points within the 3D point cloud which meet at least one predefined ground point criterion with respect to a reference plane divided into cells. Thereafter, cell planes are ascertained for the respective starting cells of the reference plane. Thereafter, estimated cell planes and ground points are ascertained for candidate cells deviating from the starting cells based on the cell planes of the starting cells, which are subsequently converted into final cell planes. As a result of such a cell growth originating from the starting cells, the cells of the reference plane are iteratively run through and processed so that the 3D point cloud is reliably classifiable into ground points and object points based on this method.