The invention relates to a polygonal indexable insert which comprises cutting edges (2) which extend in a straight or curved manner on a plane which is perpendicular to the bearing surface, said cutting edges tilting from cutting corners (3) at an acute angle to alternating successive cutting edges (4) at an obtuse angle. The cutting edges (2) have an initially tiling cutting face (6) which mounts with a rear area (7). The rear area (7) forms an intersection curve (8) with a centre part (18) of the indexable insert. The intersection curve (8) has a space (a) from the starting point (15) of the associated cutting edge (2) in the region of the cutting corners (3), respectively, in the intersection point (9) with the bisecting line (10), and a space (b) from the end point (16) of the associated cutting edge (2), which is greater than the space (a), in the region of the cutting corners (4) in the intersection point thereof (11) with the bisecting line (12).