A device for determining the wear of ink fountain films in an ink fountain has at least one ink metering element and a ductor in a printing press. The ink metering element can be moved in the direction of the ductor. A closed position of the ink metering element with an ink fountain film inserted can be determined, and that deviations from the closed position determined are registered by a sensor and the deviations registered can be supplied to a computer as a basis for determining the wear of the ink fountain film.