In order to provide a load cell with a force transducer for recording a weight force to be determined, the force transducer having a part which does not deform and is fixed to the housing, an elastically deformable spring part and a force introducing part, with a sensor arrangement for sensing the deformation of the spring part and also with a device to compensate for an initial load, of a simple construction and for acceptable production costs, it is proposed that the compensation device comprises a spring which is directly connected to the force introducing part, on which the weight force to be determined acts, and which exerts, on the force introducing part, a corrective force that is opposed to the weight force.