The magnetic tape has a nonmagnetic layer containing nonmagnetic powder and binder on a nonmagnetic support, and a magnetic layer containing ferromagnetic powder and binder on the nonmagnetic layer; wherein the combined thickness of the nonmagnetic layer and the magnetic layer is less than or equal to 0.60 μm, the coefficient of friction as measured on the base portion of the surface of the magnetic layer is less than or equal to 0.35, at least the magnetic layer contains one or more components selected from the group consisting of a fatty acid and a fatty acid amide, and a C—H derived carbon, C, concentration calculated from a C—H peak area ratio in a C1s spectrum obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy conducted at a photoelectron take-off angle of 10 degrees on the surface of the magnetic layer is greater than or equal to 45 atom %.