A surgical clip applicator for U-shaped or V-shaped clips having two legs connected to each other by a connecting region is provided. In order to enable application and secure closure of the clips with a reduced expenditure of force, the applicator, which has a handle, an adjoining shaft and at the free end of the shaft an applying tool, which is actuatable with the handle and has two tool jaws which are transferable from an open, idle position to a closed position when actuated, is configured with receiving areas for the clip to be applied. These receiving areas each have an abutment surface for one of the legs, which extends at least over part of the length of the legs, and a recess in which the connecting region of the legs of the clip is arranged when the tool jaws are in the closed position.
