A thin-film magnetic head comprises a bottom pole layer having a surface that faces toward a write gap layer. This surface incorporates a first surface including an end portion located in the air bearing surface, and a second surface located away from the air bearing surface. There is a difference in level between the first surface and the second surface, so that the second surface is located farther from the top pole layer than the first surface. A top pole layer incorporates a throat height defining layer, an intermediate layer, and a yoke portion layer. The yoke portion layer includes a track width defining portion for defining the track width. Each of the throat height defining layer, the intermediate layer, and the track width defining portion has a width equal to the track width.