An electrorheological fluid which comprises a dispersion medium containing fluorine atoms in an amount larger than 0 wt % but not larger than 50.0 wt % and particles for electrorheological fluid use that are contained in the dispersion medium in an amount of 10-50 vol % of the total volume of the dispersion medium and the particles, the particles comprising a sulfonic-acid-group-containing polymer having a sulfonic acid group content of 30-70 wt %.