Abstract: A wire electrode, and a method for making it, for use in spark-erosive cutting having an electrically conducting core essentially absorbing the tensile forces. The wire electrode has furthermore a coating which wears during erosion, which coating consists of two layers. Such a wire electrode is suited for both quick cutting and also for fine cutting of workpieces. The wire electrode has for this purpose an inner layer of the coating, which serves the quick cutting process and consists of an essentially homogenous alloy. Whereas the outer layer of the coating is provided for the fine cutting and has a zinc content of above 80 wt. %, whereby the layer thickness of the outer layer lies at ⅕ of the layer thickness of the remaining coating.