A roof rail (1) for a motor vehicle, having at least one rack bar (3) and having at least one support element (24) which is fixed to the rack bar (3) for bridging a spacing which is formed between the rack bar (3) and the roof of the motor vehicle and for fixing the roof rail (1) to the roof of the motor vehicle, and having at least one cover (11) for the support element (24), wherein the rack bar (3), support element (24) and cover (11) are formed as separate components. There is provision for at least one end region (6) of the rack bar (3) to be in the form of a bent portion (7) whose front end (8) forms a roof application end (9), for the support element (24) to be in the form of an extrusion component (56) and for the support element (24) and cover (11) to be located at least partially in the region of the bent portion (7).