It is possible to perform lateral force measurements using a nc-AFM probe oscillating normal to the surface under study. This method uses a similar method to force spectroscopy except the tip is moved parallel to the surface while the frequency shift is recorded, this is repeated at multiple heights above the surface, starting far from the surface and moving closer. After any change to the surface, for example moving an atom on the surface, the experiment is stopped. This leaves a 2D grid of measured frequency shifts. Using an appropriate force spectroscopy calculation each of the vertical frequency shift vectors can be converted into a vector of forces in the z-direction, thus creating a 2D grid of calculated forces. These forces can be integrated vertically to produce a 2D map of the potential. It is then possible to differentiate the potential horizontally to calculate the lateral forces. As this method relies on heavy mathematical processing, in which each state assumes a vertical motion of the tip, it is critical that the sensor is not angled, and that the tip length is very short compared to the length of the sensor.
A direct measurement of lateral forces is possible by using a torsional mode with a silicon cantilever  or by orienting the sensor to oscillate parallel to the surface. Using the latter technique, Weymouth et al. measured the tiny interaction of two CO molecules as well as the lateral stiffness of a CO terminated tip.