Abstract: A magnetic recording medium is described, which comprises a support having thereon a magnetic layer comprising a ferromagnetic metal powder and a binder resin, wherein the coercive force (Hc) of the magnetic layer is from 2,100 to 3,000 Oe, SFD (switching field distribution) of the magnetic layer is 0.30 or less, and an average thickness: d of the magnetic layer is in the range of: d≦ recording wavelength &lgr;/4.