A laser tracker for determining the position of a target and in particular for continuously tracking the target, comprising • a beam source for generating measurement radiation, • a base defining a vertical axis, • a support defining a tilting axis, which is substantially orthogonal to the vertical axis, wherein the support is pivotable in a motorized fashion about the vertical axis relative to the base and a horizontal pivoting angle is defined by an orientation of the support relative to the base, • a beam directing unit, which is pivotable in a motorized fashion about the tilting axis relative to the support, wherein a vertical pivoting angle is defined by an orientation of the beam directing unit relative to the support, for emission and orientation of the measurement radiation and for reception of at least part of the measurement radiation reflected at the target, • angle measuring functionality for determining the horizontal pivoting angle and the vertical pivoting angle, • distance measuring functionality, • a first position-sensitive surface detector, and • an evaluation and control unit for determining an impingement point of the reflected measurement radiation on the surface detector for generating an output signal for determining the position of the target and in particular for controlling a target tracking functionality, wherein the laser tracker additionally comprises a calibration device for use with a self-calibration functionality, in the context of which calibration parameters are determinable with regard to a position and/or direction of the measurement radiation, characterized in that • the calibration device has on the base a second position-sensitive surface detector, onto which measurement radiation is emittable by the beam directing unit, and • the evaluation and control unit is designed for determining an impingement point of measurement radiation impinging on the second position-sensitive surface detector, whereby at least one portion of the calibration parameters is determinable with regard to a position and/or direction of the measurement radiation. • a beam source for generating measurement radiation, • a base defining a vertical axis, • a support defining a tilting axis, which is substantially orthogonal to the vertical axis, wherein the support is pivotable in a motorized fashion about the vertical axis relative to the base and a horizontal pivoting angle is defined by an orientation of the support relative to the base, • a beam directing unit, which is pivotable in a motorized fashion about the tilting axis relative to the support, wherein a vertical pivoting angle is defined by an orientation of the beam directing unit relative to the support, for emission and orientation of the measurement radiation and for reception of at least part of the measurement radiation reflected at the target, • angle measuring functionality for determining the horizontal pivoting angle and the vertical pivoting angle, • distance measuring functionality, • a first position-sensitive surface detector, and • an evaluation and control unit for determining an impingement point of the reflected measurement radiation on the surface detector for generating an output signal for determining the position of the target and in particular for controlling a target tracking functionality, • the calibration device has on the base a second position-sensitive surface detector, onto which measurement radiation is emittable by the beam directing unit, and • the evaluation and control unit is designed for determining an impingement point of measurement radiation impinging on the second position-sensitive surface detector, whereby at least one portion of the calibration parameters is determinable with regard to a position and/or direction of the measurement radiation.