A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes a coloring agent, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent. The coloring agent includes the following dye (1) and dye (2). The water-based ink is good in clearness, color development, and preservation stability as well as good in toughness of a recording material recorded using the water-based ink. Dye (1): dye represented by the following general formula (1) Dye (2): at least one dye selected from the group consisting of C. I. Direct Yellow 86, C. I. Direct Yellow 132, C. I. Direct Yellow 142, and C. I. Direct Yellow 173.