A method for the quantitative evaluation of X-rays is described. The image is decomposed into individual image points by a mechanical scanning procedure, and at each image point the area fraction of a measuring field not covered by silver grains is determined with an image analyzer. This parameter is interpreted as representing a value corresponding to a specific degree of film blackness. The relationship between the measured value and the X-ray absorption is described by standard curves. With the aid of an aluminum scale, the measured value can be expressed directly by the thickness of an aluminum equivalent with a corresponding X-ray absorption. Details about the adjustment of the image analyzer for detecting the silver grains, the resolution of different degrees of X-ray absorption, as well as the computer-controlled scanning procedure are described. An example demonstrates its applicability to analyze the density distribution of bony tissue around the human humero-ulnar joint. The procedure is not limited to the evaluation of X-rays, but is applicable whenever silver grains can be detected in a film layer by an image analyzer.