The invention relates to a device for measuring surfaces and to a method, which uses, preferably, the device. The device comprises a light source which is used to produce a multi-colored light beam. The light beam can be focused by an imaging optical system on a plurality of points which are arranged at different distances from the imaging optical system, using the chromatic aberration of the optics. The focused light beam can be deviated to a point of the surface. A sensor device is provided in order to detect the reflected light beam. The aim of the invention is to maintain the largest distance possible between the measuring head and the object. The imaging optical system comprises an optical system for the targeted circulation of a chromatic aberration and an additional optical system which is used to form the focused light beam emerging from the imaging optical system.