A method for absolute position measuring that includes scanning a code having code elements arranged one behind the other in a measuring direction, wherein the code elements include sequential first and second code elements which define a code word containing absolute position information. The method including generating scanning signals within the first code elements and the second code elements. The method further including forming information regarding the sequential first and second code elements from the scanning signals via a reference value and determining the reference value as a function of at least one of the scanning signals within the first code elements and the scanning signals within the second code elements.