A method measures a capacitance. According to the method, a first detection measurement for the capacitance which is to be measured is detected by a first measurement method during a first measurement phase. In this case, a second measurement phase is started when the first detection measurement satisfies a transition criterion. A second detection measurement for the capacitance which is to be measured is detected during the second measurement phase by a second measurement method which differs from the first measurement method. The second measurement method has higher measurement accuracy than the first measurement method but also greater energy expenditure.