The magnetic tape has a magnetic layer and a backcoat layer. The Ra on the magnetic layer side surface is less than or equal to 1.8 nm, the coefficient of friction measured on the base portion of the magnetic layer side surface is less than or equal to 0.35, and the Ra measured on the backcoat layer side surface is less than or equal to 5.0 nm. The backcoat layer contains a fatty acid ester. In addition, the FWHMbefore measured on the backcoat layer side surface before vacuum heating is greater than 0 nm but less than or equal to 10.0 nm, the FWHMafter after vacuum heating is greater than 0 nm but less than or equal to 10.0 nm, and 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.