The thread generating tool for producing a thread in a workpiece has the following features: a) the tool is rotatable about a tool axis (A), b) the tool has a number n1 of groove generating regions for generating in each case one groove in the workpiece and a number m1 of thread generating regions for generating the thread in the workpiece, c) each of the m thread generating regions is arranged behind one of the n groove generating regions as viewed in an axial projection parallel to the tool axis (A), and has a smaller extent than said groove generating region as viewed in cross section in the axial projection.