A pneumatic tire comprises a carcass extending between the bead portions and a band disposed radially outside the carcass in a tread portion and made of at least one cord laid at an angle of not more than 5 degrees with respect to the tire equator, and the band cord is made of steel filaments twisted together so as to have a variable elasticity modulus which has a transitional point from under 1000 kgf/sq.mm to over 1000 kgf/sq.mm at an elongation percentage in a range of from 1% to 5%. Preferably, the average elasticity modulus ELn of the cord from zero elongation to the transitional point is in a range of from 500 to 750 kgf/sq.mm, and the average elasticity modulus EHn of the cord from the transitional point to a breaking point of the cord is in a range of from 1200 to 3000 kgf/sq.mm.