The invention relates to a method and a device for optically measuring the surface shape and for the optical surface inspection of moving elongated bodies, according to which surface shape measurement and surface inspection are integrated. A projector applies a line pattern to the object to be measured. A camera registers the surface of the object to be measured and compares the image information with a reference pattern. Two high-resolution cameras additionally detect surface defects on the object to be measured. The inventive measuring technique is especially suitable for a combined planarity and surface measurement of metal strips in rolling installations.