The invention relates to a method for laser-cutting sheet steel (1), wherein a sheet steel (1) is gradually inserted in a defined position into the cutting area (2) of a laser cutter in a direction of advance V in order to machine it. The sheet steel (1) is machined by laser cutting in a machinable area corresponding to the length of the cutting area (2), in the entire machinable area or only in a section thereof. The machined part (8) and the non-machined part (8) of the sheet steel may also only overlap in some sections (10). An automatic discharge device is also provided. The manufactured parts and the remaining grid are likewise cut from the sheet steel (1) by laser cutting. The method can be repeated in several machining steps until the sheet steel (1) is completely machined, the results of the preceding machining step being taken into consideration for the subsequent machining step. The invention allows to optimally utilize the sheet steel (1) even when using smaller laser cutters.