A magnetic tape has a magnetic layer and a backcoat layer. Each of the magnetic layer and the backcoat layer contains a fatty acid ester. The Ra measured on the magnetic layer side surface is less than or equal to 2.8 nm. The difference between the spacing measured by optical interferometry on the magnetic layer side surface after and before vacuum heating is greater than 0 nm but less than or equal to 8.0 nm. The FWHMbefore on the backcoat layer side surface is greater than 0 nm but less than or equal to 10.0 nm. The FWHMafter on the backcoat layer side surface is greater than 0 nm but less than or equal to 10.0 nm. The difference between the spacing measured on the backcoat layer side surface after and before vacuum heating is greater than 0 nm but less than or equal to 8.0 nm.