There is provided an ink composition for ink jet recording that, even on printing paper for running-on, can realize excellent gloss and good color reproduction and, at the same time, is excellent in ejection stability and recovery from clogging. The ink composition for ink jet recording comprises at least a colorant, water, an alkanediol, and a surfactant, wherein the alkanediol comprises a water soluble 1,2-alkanediol and a slightly water soluble 1,2-alkanediol, and the surfactant is a polyorganosiloxane.