A device for cutting paper webs comprises a substantially continuously operated region of a papers supply, a discontinuously operated region of transverse severing of a separating the paper web, and a buffer region (15) for coupling the continuously and discontinuously operated regions. At least one receptacle (17) open at the top is provided in the buffer region, into which the paper web(s) (3, 3) are guided so as to be looped in a freely suspended manner. The buffer region is arranged after a longitudinal cutting device (9) for producing at least two longitudinal webs (3, 3), whereby at least two webs extending separately and adjacently to one another are guided in the receptacle or at least two receptacles are arranged adjacently to one another or adjacently to one another at an offset, wherein the paper webs are guided into the receptacles.