Abstract: The catalytic converter for the catalytic treatment of exhaust gas has a housing, an inlet and an outlet. The housing contains catalyst means having at least two packets of sheet metal members. The inlet leads into an inner cavity located between the packets and has, at its orifice, the same cross-sectional shape and the same cross-sectional dimensions as the inner cavity. The latter has at least one free region whose cross-sectional area decreases in a direction away from the inlet. The outlet is connected to an outer cavity located between inner surface sections of the housing and the catalyst means. Each packet of sheet metal members bounds passages which in cross-section run from the inner cavity to the outer cavity on different sides. This makes it possible to adapt the shape of the housing well to the available space. In addition, the catalytic converter has advantageous flow and cold-start characteristics and can be economically produced.