an image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing an electrostatic latent image , and a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image with a developer and collecting the developer remaining on the image bearing member including a developer carrying member for carrying the developer . the developer carried by the developer carrying member comes into contact with the image bearing member as the developer carrying member moves and a regulating member for regulating a layer thickness of the developer carried by the developer carrying member . the regulating member regulates the layer thickness of the developer carried by the developer carrying member so that there will be three to eight layers , wherein v2 / v1 & gt ; 1 . 54 holds where v1 is a peripheral velocity of said image bearing member and v2 is a peripheral velocity of said developer carrying member .