Abstract: The method determines the means effective torque of an internal combustion engine connected to a load device. The crankshaft angular velocity is scanned at equidistant angular crankshaft positions spaced apart in time by a whole number multiple of the torque harmonic period. Differentiation of the crankshaft angular velocity with respect to time also takes place by forming the difference between sequential angular velocities and by time measurement of the scanning period. The mean acceleration torque is formed by multiplying the determined crankshaft acceleration by the moment of inertia of the internal combustion engine and is added to the shaft torque recorded by use of a torque sensor to form the mean effective torque. The torque thus determined is not subject to the typical torque harmonics of the internal combustion engine.