diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6f1bde4..b418c9f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1126,6 +1126,8 @@ Inferred mappings don't have fields such as `uri`, `identifier`, `creator`, `cre
 
   `strict=[boolean]` values `1` or `true` disallow mapping type "closeMatch" for inferred mappings (default `false`)
 
+  `depth=[number]` a non-negative number of the depth used to infer mappings (not set by default); `0` means no inference, `1` means only the next ancestor concept (= broader) is used for inference, etc.
+
 * **Success Response**
 
   JSON array of [JSKOS Concept Mappings]
diff --git a/services/mappings.js b/services/mappings.js
index 2a68e29..5c7ac56 100644
--- a/services/mappings.js
+++ b/services/mappings.js
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ class MappingService {
   /**
    * Infer mappings based on the source concept's ancestors. (see https://github.com/gbv/jskos-server/issues/177)
    */
-  async inferMappings({ strict, ...query }) {
+  async inferMappings({ strict, depth, ...query }) {
     if (query.to) {
       // `to` parameter not supported
       throw new MalformedRequestError("Query parameter \"to\" is not supported in /mappings/infer.")
@@ -402,6 +402,12 @@ class MappingService {
     }
 
     strict = ["true", "1"].includes(strict) ? true : false
+    depth = parseInt(depth)
+    depth = (isNaN(depth) || depth < 0) ? null : depth
+
+    if (depth === 0) {
+      return []
+    }
 
     fromScheme = await this.schemeService.getScheme(fromScheme)
     try {
@@ -436,7 +442,10 @@ class MappingService {
       }
 
       // Retrieve ancestors from API
-      const ancestors = await registry.getAncestors({ concept: { uri: from } })
+      let ancestors = await registry.getAncestors({ concept: { uri: from } })
+      if (depth !== null) {
+        ancestors = ancestors.slice(0, depth)
+      }
       for (const uri of ancestors.map(a => a && a.uri).filter(Boolean)) {
         mappings = await this.getMappings(Object.assign({}, query, { from: uri, type: types.join("|") }))
         if (mappings.length) {
diff --git a/test/infer-mappings.js b/test/infer-mappings.js
index 5efe880..5ccaaa3 100644
--- a/test/infer-mappings.js
+++ b/test/infer-mappings.js
@@ -147,6 +147,23 @@ describe("/mappings/infer", () => {
       })
   })
 
+  it("should return nothing for previous request if depth is set to 1", done => {
+    chai.request(server.app)
+      .get("/mappings/infer")
+      .query({
+        from: _.last(concepts).uri,
+        fromScheme: scheme.uri,
+        toScheme: targetScheme.uri,
+        depth: 1,
+      })
+      .end((error, res) => {
+        res.should.have.status(200)
+        res.body.should.be.an("array")
+        assert.equal(res.body.length, 0)
+        done()
+      })
+  })
+
   it("should add a mapping for a deeper ancestor concept and return it instead as inferred mapping; also adjust mapping type", done => {
     const mapping = {
       from: { memberSet: [concepts[1]] },
@@ -182,6 +199,23 @@ describe("/mappings/infer", () => {
       })
   })
 
+  it("should return nothing for previous request if depth is set to 0", done => {
+    chai.request(server.app)
+      .get("/mappings/infer")
+      .query({
+        from: _.last(concepts).uri,
+        fromScheme: scheme.uri,
+        toScheme: targetScheme.uri,
+        depth: 0,
+      })
+      .end((error, res) => {
+        res.should.have.status(200)
+        res.body.should.be.an("array")
+        assert.equal(res.body.length, 0)
+        done()
+      })
+  })
+
   it("should not use mapping of type `closeMatch` for inference if parameter `strict` is set", done => {
     chai.request(server.app)
       .get("/mappings/infer")
@@ -222,6 +256,7 @@ describe("/mappings/infer", () => {
             from: _.last(concepts).uri,
             fromScheme: scheme.uri,
             toScheme: targetScheme.uri,
+            depth: 0,
           })
           .end((error, res) => {
             res.should.have.status(200)