Abstract: A thin-film magnetic head includes a main magnetic pole layer, write shield layer, gap layer, and thin-film coils, which are laminated on a substrate. A return magnetic pole layer is spaced from the medium-opposing surface on the side opposite to the write shield layer with the main magnetic pole layer intervening therebetween. A connecting magnetic layer is formed using a magnetic material to connect the return magnetic pole layer to the write shield layer on the side closer to the medium-opposing surface than is the thin-film coil. The thin-film coil is wound as a flat spiral around the write shield layer. A part of the thin-film coil wound as the flat spiral is disposed only at a position distanced from the substrate than is the main magnetic pole layer.