Disclosed are water-absorbent resin particles comprising a crosslinked polymer comprising a monomer unit derived from a water-soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein an initial swelling force as measured according to a swelling force test conducted by a predetermined method is 8 N or more, and further, a ratio of the particles having a particle diameter of more than 250 µm and 850 µm or less is 70% by mass or more and a ratio of the particles having a particle diameter of 250 µm or less is 20% by mass or less, with respect to the total amount of the water-absorbent resin particles.