The magnetic tape has a magnetic layer containing ferromagnetic powder and binder on the surface on one side of a nonmagnetic support and has a backcoat layer containing nonmagnetic powder and binder on the surface on the other side of the nonmagnetic support, wherein the backcoat layer is less than or equal to 0.30 μm in thickness; and the logarithmic decrement as determined by a pendulum viscoelasticity test on the surface on the backcoat layer side of the magnetic tape is less than or equal to 0.060.