The invention pertains to an apparatus to measure a tensile force within at least one material web or at least one material strand or a corresponding force (FM) that is exerted on the apparatus, or a transmitted force (FÜ) resulting therefrom. The apparatus comprises at least one roller barrel (1), at least one bearing (2) to rotatably mount the roller barrel (1), at least one first force transfer element (3) to transfer the transmitted force (FÜ), said element designed to react to this transmitted force (FÜ) with an elongation, compression or other shape change in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation (A) of the at least one roller barrel (1), and at least one sensor (7) that is connected to the at least one first force transfer element (1). According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus further comprises at least one second force transfer element (4) that extends inside the associated roller barrel (1) and that is connected to the first force transfer element (3). Through this design, an improved absorption of force is facilitated as well as a force measurement apparatus of minimal width (B).