A belt (shoe press belt) for a paper making machine, which has good ability of squeezing water from moist paper and which, during use, has reduced damage (cracks and wear) on the outer peripheral surface of the belt. The shoe press belt for making paper carries felt for receiving water squeezed from moist paper. A water discharge groove extended on the surface on the felt side is formed as an intermittent groove, and the width and depth of the water discharge groove are continuously varied in the direction of travel (MD direction) of the groove. The shape of the intermittent groove can be asymmetrical or symmetrical at the left and right with respect to the width, or can be formed to have a narrow width at the center of the groove, or can be formed so that the groove is deep at the center. Because the water discharge groove is intermittent, water discharge ability, the quality of paper, and the smoothness of the surface of moist paper are enhanced at the same time.