A magnetic recording medium is provided, which has a recording layer formed in a concavo-convex pattern and makes it possible to obtain the stable flying characteristics of a head. In the magnetic recording medium, concave portions between recording elements are filled with a non-magnetic material. Thus, the surface of the magnetic recording medium takes a concavo-convex shape which is different from the concavo-convex pattern of the recording layer. Also, the arithmetical mean deviation of the assessed profile of the concavo-convex shape in the surface is restricted to 1 nm or less.