Apparatus for sorting rod-like elements such as each having a defined different length, including a sorting transporter inclined with respect to the horizontal at an angle and having a longitudinal sieve element above and along which a transverse pusher slat moves to shift the elements upwards along the sieve element. The shifted elements are oriented along the pusher slats. The sieve element includes a through opening in the transporter which is divided by askew bars into at least two neighboring through sub-sections. The width and length of each section is selected specifically for one selected length of the rod-like elements so that only the rod-like elements having the length smaller or equal to the one selected length pass through the sub-sections of this section while being oriented along the pusher slats. A system including the apparatus according to the invention and a method for sorting rod-like elements are also disclosed.