Provided is nonwoven fabric for absorbents which has excellent diffusing properties. This nonwoven fabric is for absorbents that comprise cellulosic fibers, which are hydrophilic fibers, and is characterized by having an upper surface and a lower surface which is on the reverse side therefrom and by having, in the upper surface, ridges and grooves which extend in the lengthwise direction and are arranged alternately along the width direction. The nonwoven fabric is further characterized in that a portion A extends as the lower-surface-side part of each ridge, a portion B extends as the upper-surface-side sidewalls and top of the ridge, and a portion C is sandwiched between the portion A and the portion B and that the proportion of fibers in the cross-sectional area of the portion A is higher than the proportion of fibers in the cross-sectional area of the portion B and the proportion of fibers in the cross-sectional area of the portion B is higher than the proportion of fibers in the cross-sectional area of the portion C.
