A sensor element includes: an element base including a gas distribution part communicating from a gas inlet; and a leading-end protective layer including an inner layer covering an end portion and four side surfaces of the element base and an outer layer covering the inner layer and having a lower porosity than the inner layer, and a total thickness representative value, defined as an average of total thicknesses of the protective layer at a plurality of positions including a starting point, an intermediate position, and an innermost end of the gas distribution part, is 250 μm or more, and a film thickness variation degree, defined as a ratio of a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of the total thicknesses with respect to the total thickness representative value when the value is based at 100, is 20 or less.