Abstract: Water-absorbent resins having an average particle diameter of 100 to 600 .mu.m and a particle diameter distribution of 0.35 or less are prepared by polymerizing an aqueous solution of a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer, pulverizing and sieving the gel-like polymer so obtained, and crosslinking the surface of the polymer powder. In an alternative process, an aqueous solution of the monomer having a viscosity greater than 15 cps is dispersed in a hydrophobic organic solvent and polymerized to obtain a polymer powder, and the surface of the polymer powder is crosslinked.