A pneumatic tire is provided in the tread portion with a circumferential row of middle tread elements, wherein each of the middle tread elements is divided into four elemental blocks having different configurations, by three splitting grooves, and the three splitting grooves are: a longitudinal splitting groove extending between the lateral grooves; an axially inner lateral splitting groove extending axially outwardly from the axially inner circumferential main groove beyond the longitudinal splitting groove and terminating before the axially outer circumferential main groove; and an axially outer lateral splitting groove extending axially inwardly from the axially outer circumferential main groove beyond the longitudinal splitting groove and terminating before the axially inner circumferential main groove.