A control method of surface characteristic measuring apparatus relatively displaces by a relative displacement mechanism, detects when the distal end of the stylus contacting the measurable surface, calculates an amount of relative displacement in the Z-axis direction between the measuring device and the measured object required for a measuring arm to be leveled after the distal end of the stylus contacts the measurable surface, calculates a displacement amount generated in the distal end of the stylus in an X-axis direction when the measuring device and the measured object are relatively displaced only by in the Z-axis direction; and levels the measuring arm by relatively displacing only by the measuring device and the measured object in the Z-axis direction by the relative displacement mechanism, and relatively displaces only by the measuring device and the measured object in the X-axis direction by the relative displacement mechanism at the same time.