An ink composition for ink jet recording, which contains a water-soluble dye, an organic solvent and water, in which the dye is represented by the formula (1) as shown in the state of free acid:
        D - (SO₂CH₂CH₂SO₃H) m    (1)
wherein D represents a dye residue selected from the group of monoazo and polyazo dyes, their complexes with Cr, Fe, Co and Cu, copper and nickel phthalocyanine dyes, anthraquinone dyes, dioxazine dyes, and formazane complex dyes, and m represents an integer of 1, 2, 3 or 4, and which is superior in its stability during preservation and while being used, thermal stability, image clearness, water resistivity, light fastness, etc.