A filter element for fluids, including: a filter bellows made of a filter medium, the filter medium placed in the filter bellows along pleated edges in a zig-zag shape, in pleats that extend between opposite end edges of the filter bellows; wherein an end pleat having a pleated edge and an opposite free end margin is arranged on each opposite end face of the filter bellows, pleated edges that are consecutive along an end edge of a pleat end at opposite surfaces of the filter bellows; wherein a segment of one of the end edges extends obliquely to one of the pleated edges in such a manner that, in the one segment, the pleated edges on a first one of the opposite surfaces have a different length than the pleated edges of an opposite one of the opposite surfaces; and wherein the pleats are laterally sealed by the end edges.