Abstract: Examples are directed to suppressing crack development in a surface acoustic wave (SAW) element including a double-layered IDT electrode. In one example the SAW element includes a piezoelectric substrate, a comb-shaped electrode formed on a top surface of the piezoelectric substrate, and an insulation layer formed on the top surface of the piezoelectric substrate to cover the comb-shaped electrode. The comb-shaped electrode includes a plurality of electrode fingers each having a first metal layer of a first metal formed on the top surface of the piezoelectric substrate, a second metal layer of a second metal formed on the first metal layer, and a second protective film at least partially covering the second metal layer, the second metal layer being covered by the second protective film and the first metal layer.