Abstract: The invention concerns a suction roll (10) for a paper making machine, on which the paper web is pressed towards the outer face of the roll mantle. The suction roll (10) is divided, in the axial direction of the roll, into at least three vacuum spaced (A.sub.1, A.sub.2, A.sub.3). In the interior of the suction roll (10), there are at least two partition walls (17a, 17b), by means of which the suction space (13) is divided into separate zones of negative pressure. The lateral vacuum spaces (A.sub.1, A.sub.3) in the suction space can be subjected to a higher negative pressure than the vacuum space (a.sub.2) in the middle area of the roll, whereby the profile of negative pressure is formed such that the negative pressure increases across the width of the roll towards the lateral areas. The invention also concerns a method for producing a desired pressure profile for a suction roll.