A method for operating an internal combustion engine having a combustion method with homogeneous auto ignition. A driver's demand, predetermined by the gas pedal, is converted into a desired torque to be given off by the engine. A reference charge value for the air charge is determined by a working-point-dependent lambda value (λopt) that can be predetermined. Based on this, a throttle valve position is set. Parallel to this, a desired torque is calculated for the fuel path with a reference lambda value, and an actual charge is calculated to yield a fuel amount to be injected. The reference lambda value results from an optimal lambda value for the mode of operation of homogeneous compression ignition, as long as the lambda value is within the rich and lean limits, respectively, of the combustion method of homogeneous compression ignition. The fuel mass is varied within the rich and lean limits to compensate dynamic processes.