An image forming apparatus has a developer container containing a
developer and a developer carrying member for carrying the developer and
adapted to switch an AC voltage to be applied to the developer carrying
member. The apparatus includes a detecting member for detecting the
amount of developer in the developer container and a processing portion
for determining the amount of developer in the developer container
according to the value output by the detecting member when the AC voltage
is applied to the developer carrying member. The processing portion is
adapted to determine the amount of developer by executing a process that
corresponds to the operation of switching the AC voltage.