A magnetic head, in the form of a MIG head, having a magnetic metal film formed in the vicinity of the magnetic gap, is provided, in which the thickness of the magnetic metal film in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic gap is not less than 1.0 .mu.m and not more than 4.4 .mu.m and the gap length of the magnetic gap is 0.23 .mu.m to 0.32 .mu.m. The magnetic head is improved in recording characteristics in a specified short wavelength range and hence in the playback output so that it may be advantageously employed for a high digital recording format.