To provide an organic EL element capable of enhancing step coverage of an organic capping layer.

The organic EL element 102 is provided with a support substrate 104, an organic functional layer 138 which is formed on the support substrate 104 and contains a charge transporting material, and emits light by coupling holes and electrons, an insulating layer 132 which is installed on the support substrate 104 through a gap in parallel with the organic functional layer 138, and an organic capping layer 136 which is formed continuously onto the insulating layer 132 through a gap from the organic functional layer 138 and contains a molecular substance having a molar mass smaller than the molar mass of the charge transporting material.