A nonwoven fabric (1) of the invention is a web of filament fibers (2) consolidated by bonding at fusion bonds (3). Parts of the filament fibers (2) are broken to provide fibers (21) each of which has a fixed end (20a) fixed at the fusion bond (3) with the other end (20b) being free and having an increased thickness. In the nonwoven fabric (1), the fibers (21) with a thickened free end (20b) have an increase ratio of tip diameter of 15% or more.本發明之不織布1係利用熱熔接部3固定包含長纖維2之網的不織布。本發明之不織布1具備:長纖維2之一部分斷裂,僅一端部20a利用熱熔接部3予以固定,且另一端部側之自由端部20b變粗大之纖維21。於本發明之不織布1中,自由端部20b變粗大之纖維21之前端纖維徑之增加比率為15%以上。1...不織布2...長纖維3...熱熔接部20...纖維20a...端部20b...自由端部21...自由端部變粗大之纖維22...自由端部未變粗大之纖維23...環狀之纖維
