In a method for generating a synthetic wavelength, particularly for an interferometric distance measuring setup, with a primary laser source defining a primary frequency υ0 and at least a first sideband frequency υ1 of the primary frequency υ0, laser radiation with the first sideband frequency υ1 and a corresponding first wavelength is provided wherein the first sideband frequency υ1 is continuously shifted, particularly by modulating the primary laser source. The synthetic wavelength is generated by combining the first wavelength and a second wavelength which is defined by the primary laser source, particularly by superposition.