The invention relates to a surgical light comprising a light unit which has a plurality of light sources individually accommodated in a housing, wherein each light source is arranged and oriented in such a way that the light source produces a light beam in an energized state; an anchoring element which is prepared for fastening to a ceiling, a wall or a floor of a room; and a retaining arm system which connects the light unit slidably and/or pivotably to the anchoring element, wherein a position detection device is arranged and designed in such a way that, in the operating state, the position detection device determines a distance of a reference section of the light unit or of the retaining arm system from the ceiling.