The present invention provides a heat-sensitive recording material that comprises a support, a heat-sensitive recording layer comprising a leuco dye and a developer, and a protective layer principally comprising a pigment and a binder. The support, the heat-sensitive recording layer, and the protective layer are provided in this order. The protective layer comprises: (1) a pigment of secondary particles with an average particle diameter of 30 to 900 nm formed by aggregation of amorphous silica primary particles with a particle diameter of 3 to 70 nm; or (2) a pigment of secondary particles with an average particle diameter of 30 to 900 nm formed by aggregation of amorphous silica primary particles with a particle diameter of 3 to 70 nm, and a binder comprising acetoacetyl modified polyvinyl alcohol with a saponification degree of 90 to 100 mol % and a polymerization degree of 1900 to 5000.