A magnetic head that uses a thick AP coupling layer in an AP-tab structure. The head includes a free layer having an active area and tab regions on opposite sides of the active area. An antiparallel (AP) coupling layer is formed above the free layer. In one embodiment, the AP coupling layer has a thickness of 15 .ANG. or more. In another embodiment, the AP coupling layer is formed of Ir, and preferably has a thickness of 15 .ANG. or more. A bias layer is formed above each of the tab portions of the free layer, magnetic moments of the tab regions of the free layer being pinned antiparallel to the magnetic moments of the bias layers.