An austenitic stainless steel with minimized deformation by heating and cooling treatment after cold working, which consists of, % by mass, C: 0.03% or less, Si: 2 to 4%, Mn: 0.1 to 2%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.03% or less, Ni: 9 to 15%, Cr: 15 to 20%, N: 0.02 to 0.2%, Nb: 0.03% or less, each of Mo and Cu or a total of Mo and Cu: 0.2 to 4%, and the balance Fe and impurities, and satisfies the following formulas (1) and (2). This steel can also have good weldability when the following formula (3) is also satisfied in addition to the formulas (1) and (2); 16.9+6.9Ni+12.5Cu-1.3Cr+3.2Mn+9.3Mo-205C-38.5N-6.5Si-120Nb.gtoreq.40 (1) 450-440(C+N)-12.2Si-9.5Mn-13.5Cr-20(Cu+Ni)-18.5Mo.ltoreq.-90 (2) 8.2+30(C+N)+0.5Mn+Ni-1.1(1.5Si+Cr+Mo)+2.5Nb.ltoreq.-0.8 (3) wherein each element symbol in the formulas (1), (2) and (3) represents the content, % by mass, of each element included in the steel.