A method of measuring a length of sections of extrados or intrados curves of an elongated workpiece travelling in a bending machine along a forwarding direction, the elongated workpiece having cross-sections each of which is separated by a neutral axis in both an extended portion and a compressed portion when the elongated workpiece is subjected to bending, and at least a neutral cross-section, i.e. not subjected to bending, neutral cross-section beyond which the bending of the elongated workpiece begins along the forwarding direction thereof, characterised in that the length measuring is performed by a relevant instrument positioned so that, in measuring, it engages either an extrados or an intrados point of the elongated workpiece near the neutral cross-section, but displaced therefrom in the forwarding direction of the elongated workpiece.