A method and an inductive proximity sensor for detecting an object having at least one coil, wherein at least one transmission current pulse can be applied to the coil by a control and evaluation unit and having the control and evaluation unit for outputting an object detection signal, wherein the control and evaluation unit is configured to scan at least one induced voltage pulse that is generated by the transmission current pulse at the coil in at least one section from or after the point in time of the application of the transmission current pulse up to the point in time of the complete attenuation of the voltage pulse and to form scan values, whereby the voltage pulse is digitized.