A sterile container for the sterilization of surgical instruments is provided. The sterile container has a bottom wall, a side wall and a lid which, in a closed position of the sterile container, has a lid rim which engages over a free rim arranged on a side of the side wall that faces away from the bottom wall. At least one projection element is arranged between the bottom wall and the free rim. The projection element projects from the side wall in the direction of an outside of the sterile container at least as far as the lid rim and is located at a shorter distance from the bottom wall than the lid rim. The side wall, in a wall area between the at least one projection element and the free rim, does not protrude in the direction of a center of the sterile container over the side wall.
