A method for determining operating stress on a component during operation includes recording measured values for predefined measurement variables not equal to the operating stress on the component to be determined, during operation of the component for at least n≥2 predefined different operating modes, determining m≥2 and m≤n effect operands W1 to Wm, in dependence on the measured values for each operating mode, recording a measured value of operating stress after operating the component for n operating modes, and setting up and solving an equation system having n equations to obtain m weighting factors a1 to am weighting the m effect operands. A sum of weighted effect operands for each operating mode is equal to the measured value of the operating stress recorded for the operating mode. A calculation rule determining the operating stress during operation of the component uses the weighting factors.