A measuring device for a spindle or for a rotary table includes at least two first and second position sensing elements and a scale element, having a first and second graduations and being rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the position sensing elements. The first graduation includes regular structures arranged in parallel next to one another along a first direction, having a directional component in the circumferential direction. The second graduation includes regular structures arranged in parallel next to one another along a second direction, having a directional component in the axial direction. The first position sensing elements are offset from one another in the circumferential direction, and are able to scan the first graduation so that the position of the scale element in a plane having an orthogonal orientation to the axis of rotation is determinable. In addition, at least one of the first position sensing elements is able to determine an angular position of the scale element in relation to the first position sensing elements in absolute terms within and across a rotation. The second position sensing elements are offset from one another in the circumferential direction, and are able to scan the second graduation, and the axial position of the scale element is able to be determined.