Provided are: an electrode catalyst layer for solid polymer fuel cells, which is capable of having high output, while being able to have improved water discharge performance and improved gas diffusibility; and a solid polymer fuel cell which is provided with this electrode catalyst layer for solid polymer fuel cells. Electrode catalyst layers (2, 3) according to one embodiment of the present invention are bonded to a polymer electrolyte membrane (1), and comprise a catalyst (13), carbon particles (14), a polymer electrolyte (15) and a fibrous material (16). The electrode catalyst layers (2, 3)have a density of from 500 mg / cm3 to 900 mg / cm3 (inclusive); or alternatively, the electrode catalyst layers (2, 3) have a density of from 400 mg / cm3 to 1,000 mg / cm3 (inclusive), and the mass of thepolymer electrolyte (15) is within the range of from 10% by mass to 200% by mass (inclusive) relative to the total mass of the carbon particles (14) and the fibrous material (16).