This publication supports an interim solution to the dosimetric problems caused by modern computed tomography (CT) equipment, particular with respect to the wide X ray beam angles increasing seen in clinical practice. It reviews the development of current CT dose formalisms up to the current International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) methodologies and presents practical measurement guidance in the implementation of new dosimetric methods needed with wide beam CT. Additional items of discussions are current approaches of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine in the USA to CT dosimetry as well as calibration aspects of CT dosimetric instrumentation. A summary describes the present status of CT dosimetry and provides recommendations for future action.