Two method and device embodiments allow automatic determination of slice positions in an MR examination in an MR system. In the first embodiment, a volume to be measured by the MR examination is predetermined. The MR examination is subsequently planned in that at least one of the parameters slice direction, slice interval, slice thickness, number of slices for the MR examination is adapted such that an extent in the slice direction of the MR examination essentially corresponds to the predetermined volume. In the second embodiment, at least one volume segment is predetermined. Multiple slices for the MR examination are subsequently determined such that each volume segment is contained in at least one of the slices.