A window lifter has a first lever arm pivoting about a pivotal axis, an output element having a toothed segment with toothing and an opening extending along the toothing, the toothed segment pivoting about the pivotal axis and fixedly connected to the first lever arm, an axle element extending through the opening of the toothed segment, a drive unit which is connected to the first lever arm through the output element, a drive pinion connected to the drive unit which engages the toothing of the toothed segment, a second lever arm having a longer side and a shorter side opposite the longer side, and a slideway in which the axle element is guided. The axle element is mounted on the shorter side of the second lever arm. The second lever arm is pivotally connected to the first lever arm to pivot about an articulation axis spaced from the pivotal axis.