The invention relates to an armrest for a vehicle seat, comprising an armrest body (11) that together with a base (15) forms a pivot joint and can be pivoted through a pivot angle (α) between a stowed position and a use position, wherein at least one damper (17a, 17b) is provided to damp the motion of the armrest body (11).The invention characterized in that the armrest (10) has a control device (18a, 18b) that actuates the damper (17a, 17b) within at least one portion (β, y) of the pivot angle.