Abstract: Fore many applications it is desirable to determine the operating level, i.e. the current flow rate V and the total pressure difference &Dgr;pt of a fan in the installed state without external measuring points and calibration. The invention should develop a suitable method and a corresponding fan. In the method of the invention, from a measured effective pressure difference &Dgr;pMw a flow rate V is determined and from that, via an operational characteristic curve a target value for the total pressure difference &Dgr;pst is found. By comparing the target value &Dgr;pst determined this way with its measured value &Dgr;pMt the operating level and its accuracy are determined. For this purpose on the fan of the invention measuring points are provided for measuring one or more effective pressure differences &Dgr;pMw and the total pressure difference &Dgr;pMt.