Electronic level

An electronic level (1) for receiving reflected light from a pattern marked on a leveling rod (2) and for determining the height of the sighting position and the distance to the leveling rod (2) comprises an electronic level main unit (3), a sighting optical system (14), accommodated in the electronic level main unit (3), for sighting the leveling rod (2), a line sensor (15) for receiving a part of the reflected light, and a control arithmetic unit (16) for calculating the height of the sighting position and the distance to the leveling rod (2) based on signals from the line sensor (15) and for controlling measurement in a crude measurement mode and a precise measurement mode. The crude measurement mode is initiated by the control arithmetic unit (16) and the measurement mode is changed over to the precise measurement mode by detecting the said pattern based on a photodetection signal from said line sensor (15) by measurement.