Weight optimized connecting rod

The present invention relates to a connecting rod (1) for an internal combustion engine with a big bearing portion (10) for forming a coupling arrangement with a crankshaft and with a small bearing portion (11) for forming a coupling arrangement with a piston, whereas between the big bearing portion (10) and the small bearing potion (11) is arranged a rod shaft (12). According to the invention the rod shaft (12) features a single piece construction with a first shaft beam (13) and a second shaft bean (14) arranged substantially parallel to the first shaft beam (13), whereas the shaft beams (13, 14) extend from the big bearing portion (10) to the small bearing portion (11) and feature a certain distance (15) to each other, whereas at least the small bearing portion (11) features an outer dimension (D) which is broader than the median width (WO) of the rod shaft (12) and the transition of the rod shaft (12) into the small bearing portion (11) features a concave transition portion (T1).