The invention concerns a cutting insert comprising an upper and a lower surface and one or more edge surfaces which connect the upper surface and the lower surface together, wherein provided at the transition of at least one edge surface at least to the upper surface is at least one cutting edge, wherein the upper surface adjoining the cutting edge is in the form of a chip surface and the edge surface adjoining the cutting edge is in the form of a tool flank. To provide a cutting insert in which the chip break range is enlarged and the risk of damage to the cutting insert and/or the tool and/or the workpiece by coiling chips is reduced it is provided according to the invention that at least one recess is provided in the tool flank at a spacing from the cutting edge.