fs.file-max

I need to understand the functioning of the kernel parameter "fs.file-max. "

If I add in the file "/ etc / sysctl.conf" parameter:

fs.file-max = 8000

May mean that you can have no more than 8000 open files?

The fact is that if I make a:

lsof | wc-l

I sometimes see that the number exceeds 8000.

I do not understand.