A recoil starter capable of introducing cooling air into an engine through the recoil starter and reducing a size and weight thereof. Annular recesses are formed in opposing joint surfaces of a rope reel and a cam, respectively, in a manner to face each other. A damper spring is received in the annular recesses while opposite ends thereof are respectively held at the rope reel and the cam so that the rope reel and the cam are rotationally coupled together via the damper spring. Air inlets for introducing air for cooling the engine are formed in a side wall of a casing. Air passages facing the air inlets of the casing are formed between a drum portion at an outer periphery of the rope reel and a boss portion forming the annular recess of the rope reel.