Abstract: A method and an apparatus for metering fuel in a diesel engine is suggested wherein the fuel quantity is taken from a multi-dimensional characteristic field in the part-load range, in the full-load range, however, a limitation of the fuel quantity is undertaken with the aid of a lambda control. Minimal value selection stages are used for decoupling the various methods of fuel quantity control. Notwithstanding the dead times present in the system, there results a dynamically satisfying lambda control system since up to a catch curve, a rapid control and thereafter a slower lambda control are used. The use of a lambda control for full-load limiting leads to an exhaust gas almost completely free of particles.