For showing a wear state of a V-ribbed belt, which is constructed with a belt backing (1), a tension strand (2) arranged underneath the belt backing and a carcass (4), in which there are formed, in the longitudinal direction of the V-ribbed belt, V-ribs (7) which run parallel to one another, have in each case an interspace (8) with respect to one another and have inclined rib flanks (12), wherein the interspaces (8), formed for the engagement of pulley ribs (11) of a V-belt pulley (10), between two V-ribs (7) of the V-ribbed belt extend as far as a rib base (9) of the V-ribs (7), according to the invention a removal of material in the rib base (9) is detected as a criterion for the wear state.