Provided is an exhaust gas purification catalyst in which the performance of a catalyst metal can be brought out properly, the purification catalyst boasting excellent purification performance during warm-up of an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas purification catalyst 10 is provided with a substrate 1 and a catalyst layer. A leading end section 1a positioned upstream in the direction of exhaust gas flow (arrow) has a portion in which the flow rate of exhaust gas is relatively high and a portion in which the flow rate of exhaust gas is relatively low during warm-up of the internal combustion engine. The catalyst, layer in the portion of relatively high flow rate of exhaust gas has a high density section 6 in which a noble metal, is supported at relatively high density. The high density section 6 is formed to be shorter than the total length of the exhaust gas purification catalyst 10 from the leading end section 1a in the direction of exhaust gas flow.