The invention relates to a flat gasket with a gasket sheet having a plurality of passages. The gasket sheet comprises at least one first sheet metal layer which has at least on one side at least one elongate elevation with an elongate base formed out of the sheet metal layer. The base, under maximum stress occurring during installation of the gasket and in machine operation, is stable with respect to the height thereof in at least first longitudinal sections. The flat gasket is particularly useful for cases where machine part sealing surfaces between which the flat gasket is to be inserted do not have the component elasticity required for a reliable seal. The gasket sheet has at least one second sheet metal layer which has a height-elastic bead in the area of the base which, together with the base, forms a thickness-elastic area of the flat gasket.