One embodiment provides a recoil starter for starting an engine. The recoil starter includes: a starter case having a storage portion; a rope reel rotatably accommodated in the storage portion, a recoil rope being wound on the rope reel; a recoil spring interposed between the rope reel and the starter case within the storage portion; a cam portion rotatable concentrically with the rope reel and engageable with the engine; and a dust cover provided on an opening of the storage portion to cover the rope reel. The rope reel has concentric circular uneven portions formed on a surface thereof facing the engine, and the dust cover also has concentric circular uneven portions. Therefore, the circular uneven portions of the rope reel and the circular uneven portions of the dust cover fit with each other to provide a nest structure.