The invention relates to methods for laser welding a first and a second workpiece portion with a laser beam that is guided using a laser machining head along a joining gap formed between the workpiece portions, in which method the laser beam is focused and a filler is lined up with the joining gap. At least one gap width of the joining gap of the workpiece portions to be welded is detected and evaluated along the course of the joining gap and compared with at least a first and a second gap measurement. If a detected gap width is within the first gap measurement, the feeding of the filler to the joining gap is stopped and a beam profile of the laser beam is set with a point or annular focus, and if a detected gap width is within the second gap measurement, a feeding of the filler is actuated.