A method and a device is provided for controlling the overlapping of leveling rollers in a planishing machine comprising two leveling trains each bearing a series of rollers with parallel axes. The method and device are particularly applicable to sheets and strip products of great thickness and high hardness requiring little roller overlap. The method is characterized in that it consists in measuring at least the overall value of the torques transmitted to the planishing rollers by the motors, in determining the actual value of the torques used for planishing the product, in comparing the determined value with the reference value of the torque provided by the presetting model and in acting on the members regulating the roller overlap to maintain the value of the thus determined torque at the reference value.