A leader tape comprising a support and a coating layer containing powder and a binder, wherein at least one surface of the leader tape has a center line average surface roughness (Ra) of from 10 to 60 nm, and depression hardness (DH) defined by the following equation (1) of from 60 to 140 kg/mm.sup.2 (0.588 to 1.372 GPa): DH=3.7926.times.10.sup.-2[Pmax/(Hmax).sup.2](kg/mm.sup.2) (1) wherein Pmax is a maximum load and Hmax is a maximum displacement amount of an indenter.