Abstract: A gas compressor includes a housing, a separating element in the housing, and a piston guided for movement along the separating element by a drive mechanism between two dead center positions. Gas is compressed in a three-stage compression cycle by the piston in three separate gas chambers arranged in series in the housing. Pressure increases in the gas are easily feasible from very low to very high pressures, for instance from 5 to 400 bar, based on a relatively small installation. The gas compressor includes only a few wear parts for low manufacturing and maintenance costs and for fail-safe operation.