A base for a magnetic recording medium, includes a substrate made of an Al alloy and having a surface, and a film made of a NiWP-based alloy and plated on the surface of the substrate. The film includes W in a range of 15 mass % to 22 mass %, P in a range of 3 mass % to 10 mass %, and Pb in a range of 0.03 mass % to 0.08 mass %. The film has a thickness of 5 μm or greater.