A method for determining a conversion capability of one or multiple exhaust gas catalytic converters, downstream from an internal combustion engine. The method includes ascertaining a respective local temperature at multiple locations within the one or the multiple catalytic converters, ascertaining a local conversion capability for a section or a partial volume of the one or the multiple catalytic converters based on the local temperature, and ascertaining a global conversion capability of the one or the multiple catalytic converters based on the ascertained local conversion capabilities. A processing unit and a computer program product for carrying out such a method are also described.