An organic EL element includes a plurality of light-emitting units which exhibit organic EL luminescence and at least two different luminous colors and are connected in series; and a light-emitting surface formed by overlapping partly or wholly light-emitting surfaces of the light-emitting units. The plurality of light-emitting units includes light-emitting units which exhibit one color and are formed in multiple stages. A desired mixed color is obtained from the light-emitting surface by combining the different luminous colors.