A method and device for testing the tensile stress in tension elements of a tension element cord utilizes a measuring gage which is clamped between two tension elements of the tension element cord. The gage establishes a reference point relative to a fixed point stationary with respect to the tension element cord. The gage extends horizontally between two vertically extending length portions of the two tension elements. Then it is determined whether the reference point of the measuring gage is shifted with respect to the fixed point in the horizontal direction, wherein such a shift is dependent on a difference in the tension stresses in the two tension elements.