A recording paper having a recording layer comprising synthetic silica and an aqueous binder as its principal components, said layer being formed on at least one surface of a base paper and the amount of said layer lying within the range of 0.5-4.0 g/m2 in terms of solids on each surface on which said layer is formed, wherein either the critical surface tension of said recording layer surface ( gamma c) lies within the limits 32</= gamma c</=42 dyne/cm or the contact angle measured using water lies in the range of 100 DEG -120 DEG , or alternatively, the critical surface tension of said recording layer surface ( gamma c) lies within the limits 32</= gamma c</=42 dyne/cm and the contact angle measured using water lies in the range of 100 DEG -120 DEG is disclosed.
