An air cleaner includes a filter element, which includes a sheet-like filter material having pleats, a housing accommodating the filter element, and an inlet and an outlet, which are provided on the wall of the housing. The wall of the housing includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion, which face each other and are each arranged on one of the ends of the filter element in the direction in which ridges of the pleats extend. A guide piece, which extends along the ridges, is provided in the housing between the inlet and the filter element. The guide piece forms a clearance between the guide piece and the second wall portion, and guides the air that has passed through the clearance toward the first wall portion.