A disposable diaper (1) comprising a liquid permeable topsheet (2), a liquid impermeable backsheet (3), and liquid retentive absorbent members (41), (42), and (43) interposed between the two sheets, wherein the absorbent members (41) (42), and (43) are disposed in series in the direction of from the rear portion (B), through the crotch portion (A), to the front portion (C), an elastic member is disposed in its stretched state on both sides of the series of the absorbent members, andthe absorbent members (41), (42), and (43) are arranged such that a gap is produced between any adjacent two of them when the diaper is stretched flat and that any adjacent two of the absorbent members come into close contact when the diaper is worn.