In this study, the deformation behavior of an austenitic stainless steel is investigated at the microscale by means of in-situ neutron diffraction (ND) measurements in conjunction with finite-element (FE) simulations. Results are presented in terms of (elastic) lattice strains for selected grain (crystallite) families. The FE model is based on a crystallographic (slip system based) representation of the deformation at the microscale. The present study indicates that combined in-situ ND measurement and micromechanical modelling provides an enhanced understanding of the mechanical response at the microscale in engineering steels.