By using the fluoran compound represented by the following general formula (I); ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is alkyl containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sup.3 is alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R.sup.4 is hydrogen or alkyl containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may bond with each other to form a ring together with a N atom, R.sup.2 is alkyl containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and n denotes 0, 1 or 2, however, the substituents represented by R.sup.2 may be different with each other when n is 2, as a color former for color forming recording materials, recording materials which have excellent properties in whiteness of the background of the material under light and in photostability of color-formed images on the materials as well as in sufficient color forming capability of the material even after having exposed them to light, can be provided.