Filter Element Having Optimized Flow Control

A filter element for an air filter has a filter bellows with a filter medium folded multiple times. A recess is disposed in the filter bellows and is designed to receive a guiding rib of the air filter. The recess is curved at least in sections thereof along a length extension of the recess. The air filter has a housing and a guiding rib, wherein the filter element is arranged at least partially in the housing and the guiding rib is immersed at least partially in the recess of the filter element. In a method for producing the filter element, the recess in the filter bellows is formed with a computer-assisted separation method that forms the recess to be curved at least in sections thereof.