This paper presents a method to estimate the continuum of a gamma rays spectrum through the observation of local minima. The method is simple, automatable and has a large scope of application. Indeed, it is not limited by the peaks width, and consequently it is usable with GeHP as well as with scintillators spectra. In the extent where the method exploits signal properties, its operation is easily explainable. It involves a limited set of meaningful parameters for which an adjustment is proposed. The potential of this method is demonstrated through simulations but also through real gamma spectrometry measurements.