Abstract: This metal gasket is formed by laminating a pair of bead plates and a pair of intermediate plates, and capable of setting the temperature distribution thereof uniform by efficiently cooling high-temperature regions which are in the vicinity of swirl chambers without causing a decrease in the rigidity and strength thereof. The portions of the bead plates which are in the vicinity of the parts thereof in which the swirl chambers are positioned are provided with coolant-contact areas surrounded by half beads formed on the bead plates, these coolant-contact areas being provided with holes. The wall surfaces of these holes directly contact the cooling water flowing in a water jacket in a cylinder head, and fulfil the function of radiating the heat transmitted from a high-temperature combustion gas thereto.