An electric handheld machine tool includes: a tool spindle driven by an electric motor; a gearing situated between the tool spindle and the electric motor; and a manually adjustable operating element which has an adjustment travel, the adjustment travel having at least two functional ranges. Upon switching over from a first functional range to a second functional range, a mechanical additional function of the gearing is mechanically connected. The operating element is configured as a part of a motor switching element for influencing the current through the electric motor.