An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for carrying a toner image; an image forming unit for forming a toner image on the image bearing member; a transfer material carrying member, for carrying a transfer material, wherein the toner image is transferred onto a transfer material carried on the transfer material carrying member or onto the transfer material carrying member; a density detecting unit for detecting a density of the toner image transferred to the transfer material carrying member; wherein a transfer intensity is smaller when the toner image for density detection is transferred onto the transfer material carrying member than when the toner image is transferred onto the transfer material carried on the transfer material carrying member.