A flat rolling stock is first rolled in a rolling mill from an initial thickness to an intermediate thickness, and then from the intermediate thickness to a final thickness. In order to roll the rolling stock from the initial thickness to the intermediate thickness, a number of reduction stages is determined and the rolling stock is rolled accordingly. Further, a permissible thickness range for the intermediate thickness is set using technological boundary conditions. The reduction stages are determined such that the intermediate thickness is within the permissible thickness range and either the performance limits of the rolling mill are completely utilized in every reduction stage, or not completely utilized in at least one reduction stage; however, in the event that the number of reduction stages were reduced by one, the intermediate thickness would be outside of the permissible thickness range, although the performance limits of the rolling mill would be completely utilized for all reduction stages.