A magnetic recording medium in which the bearing ratio Tp of the magnetic layer on a slice level at a depth of 45 nm from the highest peak of the surface profile measured with an atomic force microscope is 3% to 60%, and the difference .DELTA..mu. between the maximum frictional coefficient and the minimum frictional coefficient of the magnetic layer ranges from 0.1 to 0.0001 as measured under conditions of 5 mm.sup.2 in contact area, 2 g in weight of a measuring head, 0.04 to 0.2 N in load applied, 3 mm/sec in speed, and 140 mm in length of measurement.