The present invention relates to a washing machine and a method for controlling same. With respect to laundry inserted into the washing machine, the accurate amount of the laundry can be calculated by measuring the amount of the laundry using gravity and inertia applied during operation of a motor, influences of the initial position and the flow of the laundry can be minimized, and the amount of the laundry can be measured without sensorless characteristics by using the current of the motor in operation. In addition, the accuracy of the amount of laundry can be improved and the amount of laundry can be determined in a short time period, thereby facilitating going into a spin cycle, reducing a wash cycle, and saving energy.
