The present invention relates to a planar inductor for progressive case hardening, comprising a carrier and an induction coil, which is accommodated by the carrier and exposed on a first side of the carrier and which is in the form of a conductor loop. According to the invention, the inductor comprises two spacing elements, which are space apart from one another and inserted into the carrier and which protrude from the carrier and beyond the conductor loop on the first side. The invention further relates to a preferred method for producing the planar inductor.