A method for producing a polymer electrolyte membrane type fuel cell including a polymer electrolyte membrane, fuel and air electrodes that sandwich therebetween the polymer electrolyte membrane and that each include a gas diffusion layer and a catalyst layer provided in contact with the polymer electrolyte membrane, and separators provided in contact with the gas diffusion layers. A paste containing at least a carbon powder having a catalyst supported thereon is spread over a predetermined support, and the coated support is dried to form the catalyst layer. A cracking occupation area on the electrodes is controlled to a predetermined tolerance by controlling at least one of (1) a thickness of the catalyst layer, (2) a kind of carbon having the catalyst supported thereon, and (3) a drying rate of a solvent of the paste.