A method for determining current-dependent and/or rotational angle position-dependent characteristic variables of an electrical machine by setting a rotational angle position of blocking a rotor, forming a series current desired value using a series current desired value alternating signal which changes periodically and/or forming a parallel current desired value using a parallel current desired value alternating signal which changes periodically, regulating a series current using the series current desired value and/or a parallel current using the parallel current desired value, measuring phase currents of the electrical machine and determining an established series current and/or an established parallel current, producing series setting voltage coefficients and series current coefficients and/or parallel setting voltage coefficients and parallel current coefficients using a discrete Fourier transform algorithm, and calculating characteristic variables on the basis of series setting voltage coefficients and series current coefficients and/or parallel setting voltage coefficients and parallel current coefficients.