Abstract: A spark plug includes a ceramic insulator, a center electrode, a metallic shell, and a ground electrode. The center electrode has a shoulder portion at a forward end portion, which tapers forward with respect to the axial direction. A noble metal tip is joined to the forward end portion of the center electrode through a fusion zone. A spark discharge gap is formed between the noble metal tip and the ground electrode. The shortest distance between the fusion zone and a forward end surface of the noble metal tip is 0.8-1.2 mm. The outside diameter of the fusion zone as measured at a forward end of the fusion zone is smaller than that as measured at a rear end of the fusion zone. An acute angle ?1 formed by a straight line L1 and a straight line L2 satisfies the relational expression ?1?72°.