The n image heating apparatus for heating an image formed on a recording material, includes a heater including a substrate, and plural heat generating resistors formed on the substrate along a longitudinal direction thereof, and plural switching elements connected electrically between a power source and the plural heat generating resistors, wherein the plural heat generating resistors include at least two first heat generating resistors driven by a first switching element and at least a second heat generating resistor driven by a second switching element, and the second heat generating resistor is provided between the at least two first heat generating resistors in a direction of a shorter side of the substrate. In this manner there can be provided an image heating apparatus with a heater of an excellent durability, and a heater adapted for use in such apparatus.