A filter element (1), with a preferably multilayer structure of a filter medium (3), in pleated form has filter pleats (5, 7) of different pleat heights (h1, h2). The filter pleats (7) with a first pleat height (h1) oppose the filter pleats (5) lower second pleat height (h2). The filter element has a throughflow direction for fluid to be cleaned away from a dirty side to a clean side (R). The transitions arranged adjacent to the inner side all conclude along a fictitious circular cylinder (9), which penetrates the filter medium (3) coaxially to its longitudinal axis (LA).