A method for calibrating a rotary encoder for capturing rotational angle position of a machine shaft. The rotary encoder includes an exciter unit which is rotationally fixed to the machine shaft, and a stationary sensor unit which interacts therewith. The method includes rotating the machine shaft to perform a rotational movement at a predefined rotational speed at a first sensor temperature, capturing a first position measured value at a first predefined rotational angle position at the first sensor temperature, heating or cooling the sensor unit to a second sensor temperature, capturing a second position measured value at the first predefined rotational angle position at the second sensor temperature, determining a first deviation between at least the second position measured value and a first desired position measured value, and correcting an output signal from the rotary encoder via the first deviation.