PURPOSE: To minimize the moment required for a motor by using a constantly required number of compensating ropes.

CONSTITUTION: An elevator car, a counterweight 3 and a set of elevator suspension ropes are included, and the elevator car and the counterweight 3 are suspended on these ropes. Additionally, a suspension ratio of a compensating rope 4 is the same as that of the suspension rope or a certain coefficient times on a compensating rope device of an elevator including a traction sheave to transmit movement to the elevator car and the counterweight 3 through the suspension ropes, a set of the compensating ropes 4, at least one reversible pulley belonging to a suspension rope system and at least one buffer device 9 for the counterweight 3. A rope suspension ratio on the side of the elevator car is the same or different on the side of the counterweight 3. A vertical adjusting mechanism is provided on a buffer 23 under the counterweight 3 for compensation of elongation of the suspension ropes and the compensating ropes of the elevator.