Abstract: A device (5) measures capacity, and includes an electrode arrangement with a plurality of electrodes (E1, E2, . . . , En) which are adjacently and/or successively arranged on a carrier (6). An intrinsic measuring device (8) measures the capacitance between a first electrode (E2), in the form of a measuring electrode, and a second electrode (E1), in the form of a counter-electrode. A controllable switching device (7) connects the electrodes (E1, E2, . . . , En), in the form of first and second electrodes (E2, E1), to the measuring device (8) in such a way that they can be switched in a pre-determinable manner. Each electrode (E1, E2, . . . , En) of the electrode arrangement can be switched in a controlled, alternate manner by the switching device (7), in the form of a measuring electrode, and respectively at least one of the other electrodes (E1, E2, . . . , En), in the form of a counter-electrode, can be switched to a pre-determinable reference potential.