The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for automatic laser focusing. The core concept of the process is the automatable and especially preferably the automated photographing of the focal spot generated during a focus series by camera and a determination of the particular focal spot diameter as well as an evaluation of this data by an interpolated or approximating function that allows a conclusion about the focal spot with the smallest focal spot diameter and thus with the associated optimal focal distance. A series of disadvantages present in the state of the art can be avoided by using the process in accordance with the invention, in particular the great expenditure of time in the determining of the optimal focal distance and the uncertainty in the selection of the optimal focal spot associated with an operator are eliminated in the framework of the photographing of a focus series.