PURPOSE: To improve electromagnetic conversion characteristics and durability by incorporating a resin having a basic polar group into a binder and polyvalent carboxylic acid and the anhydride thereof into a magnetic layer.

CONSTITUTION: The magnetic layer 2 essentially consisting of the magnetic powder and binder is provided on a nonmagnetic base 1 and the resin having the basic polar group is incorporated into the binder. The polyvalent carboxylic acid and the anhydride thereof is incorporated into the magnetic layer 2. The polyvalent carboxylic acid, therefore, interposes between the binder and the magnetic powder to well bond both and since the surface of the magnetic powder is coated with the proton-donating acid groups, the adsorption of various additives such as lubricant having proton-donating atomic groups and dispersant on said powder is hindered. The coated film is thereby perfected without losing the dispersion stability of the magnetic powder and the boundary face reinforcing property of the binder. The magnetic recording medium having the excellent electromagnetic conversion characteristics and durability is thus obtd.