A multi-layer metal gasket for establishing a seal between a first member and a second member, comprising: a pair of outer functional layers (26a, 26b), each of said outer functional layers having an outer layer outer periphery (38a, 38b) and an inner periphery (34a, 34b) surrounding an opening, each of said outer functional layers (26a, 26b) having an outer layer full combustion bead (42a, 42b) spaced radially from and circumferentially surrounding said opening, and each of said outer functional layers (26a, 26b) having a second bead (46a, 46b) spaced between said outer layer full combustion bead (42a, 42b) and said outer layer outer periphery (38a, 38b); and at least one inner functional layer sandwiched between said outer functional layers (26a, 26b), said inner functional layer including an inner layer full combustion bead aligned radially with said outer layer full combustion beads (42a, 42b) for improving the seal between the first and second members, and said inner functional layer having an inner layer outer periphery that is spaced between said aligned full combustion beads (42a, 42b, 44) and said outer peripheries (38a, 38b) of said outer functional layers (26a, 26b); wherein said second bead (46a, 46b) on each of said outer functional layers (26a, 26b) is a half bead for providing a fluid tight seal, wherein said half beads (46a, 46b) of said outer functional layers (26a, 26b) extend outwardly in opposite axial directions from one another; characterized in that said outer layer full combustion beads (42a, 42b) extend in the same axial direction, and said inner layer full combustion bead extends in an opposite axial direction; and wherein said multi-layer metal gasket does not include any distance layers or stopper features between said outer functional layers (26a, 26b). a pair of outer functional layers (26a, 26b), each of said outer functional layers having an outer layer outer periphery (38a, 38b) and an inner periphery (34a, 34b) surrounding an opening, each of said outer functional layers (26a, 26b) having an outer layer full combustion bead (42a, 42b) spaced radially from and circumferentially surrounding said opening, and each of said outer functional layers (26a, 26b) having a second bead (46a, 46b) spaced between said outer layer full combustion bead (42a, 42b) and said outer layer outer periphery (38a, 38b); and at least one inner functional layer sandwiched between said outer functional layers (26a, 26b), said inner functional layer including an inner layer full combustion bead aligned radially with said outer layer full combustion beads (42a, 42b) for improving the seal between the first and second members, and said inner functional layer having an inner layer outer periphery that is spaced between said aligned full combustion beads (42a, 42b, 44) and said outer peripheries (38a, 38b) of said outer functional layers (26a, 26b); wherein said second bead (46a, 46b) on each of said outer functional layers (26a, 26b) is a half bead for providing a fluid tight seal, wherein said half beads (46a, 46b) of said outer functional layers (26a, 26b) extend outwardly in opposite axial directions from one another; characterized in that said outer layer full combustion beads (42a, 42b) extend in the same axial direction, and said inner layer full combustion bead extends in an opposite axial direction; and wherein said multi-layer metal gasket does not include any distance layers or stopper features between said outer functional layers (26a, 26b).