Abstract: A method of regulating the rotational speed of multicylinder internal combustion engines is described using the rotational speed can be detected precisely and rapidly in a simple and cost-effective manner, permitting stable regulation to a constant rotational speed in the event of periodic and temporary rotational speed fluctuations. The time required for a fixed sequence of successively sensed pulses is continuously measured and used to form equidistant, uncorrected actual rotational speed values. The number of successively sensed pulses is defined as a function of the number of cylinders in the engine and the number of pulses that can be generated by the pole wheel per revolution. The time required for the number of sensed pulses corresponding to one complete revolution of the pole wheel is measured and used to form an average rotational speed. The difference between the average rotational speed and each uncorrected actual rotational speed value is smoothed to form corrected actual rotational speed values.