In a method for measuring lift and for adjusting a valve, easily focused, high-energy radiation is used, which permits a contact-free measuring operation. The radiation is directed at the valve-closure member that is permanently joined to the valve needle in the installed valve. By performing a differential measurement, thus a measurement in both end positions of the valve needle, the lift of the valve needle can be determined and, thus, corrected. The measurement is performed on a dry valve. The method is particularly suited for electromagnetically actuated fuel-injection valves of mixture-compressing internal-combustion engines having externally supplied ignition.