In the perpendicular magnetic recording head according to the invention, the inclined surface, which is inclined toward the trailing side at the tilt angle .theta.1 with respect to the virtual vertical line extending from the top surface of the recording medium, is formed in the trailing-side cross section of the main magnetic pole in such a manner that it extends from the front-end surface in a direction where it is spaced apart from the recording medium. If the inclined surface is formed in the main magnetic pole as described above, the absolute value of the magnetic field gradient .alpha.1 of the recording magnetic field can be increased and a magnetization inversion width can be decreased. It is thus possible to reduce magnetization inversion noise.