An apparatus for measuring shapes is provided, which comprises: means for scanning, having a plurality of arms (3) holding an object (1) to be measured, and a turntable (2) to which one end of each of the arms is fixed; means (4) for forming a silhouette image of the object, consisting of a first optical system which has an optical axis parallel to a rotating axis (12) of the turntable and which has a light source (5) and a light receiving unit (7) confronting each other to allow the object to be in between the light source and the light receiving unit of the first optical system and of a second optical system which has another optical axis almost at a right angle to the rotating axis and which has another light source and another light receiving unit confronting each other to allow the object to be in between the light source (6) and the light receiving unit (8) of the second optical system; and means for calculating a shape of the object, based on electric signals converted from intensity pattern of light which has been formed by the means for forming a silhouette image of the object.