Fastener chain and slide fastener

A coil-shaped fastener element is sewn to a fastener tape without using a core string. An upper leg portion of the fastener element has a first upper surface continued from a connecting portion and contacting a sewing thread, and a second upper surface extending and sloping upward from the first upper surface via a bent portion. A height dimension between a top end surface and the bent portion of the upper leg portion is 20% or larger of a height dimension of the fastener element. The upper leg portion has a first lower surface which is sloped to be apart from the fastener tape toward a coupling head portion, and the upper leg portion has an element contacting portion in an area of the first lower surface. Thereby, cost reduction of the slide fastener can be attained, and the fastener element can be prevented from passing through the sewing thread and exiting.