A device and method for cutting-to-length surgical suture material uses a thread spool having a continuous thread of the surgical suture material, a thread advancing gripper for drawing off a defined length of surgical suture material, and a cutting unit for cutting the surgical suture material. By way of a deflection installation, the surgical suture material is placeable so as to be angled to the primary transport direction in at least one open loop. The length of the open loop can be variably adjusted. The cutting unit is positioned between the thread spool and the deflection installation.
