In this study we will present a new method to describe surface roughness. This method builds a roughness map of the studied area. The roughness map can give information of localised roughness. The test surfaces used in the evaluation of the method were tablets, which were made of lactose monohydrate, theophylline anhydrate, sodium chloride and potassium chloride. The roughness determinations were made by a laser profilometer. The new matrix method gives detailed roughness maps, which are able to show local variations in surface roughness values and provide an illustrative picture of the heterogeneity of surface roughness of various materials.