A polarization-maintaining optical fiber comprises: a core; a pair of stress-applying parts disposed one at each side of the core; and a cladding which surrounds the core and the stress-applying parts; wherein when the polarization-maintaining optical fiber is used at a wavelength of 0.81 .mu.m to 0.87 .mu.m, a cut-off wavelength measured with a fiber length of 2 m is longer than the wavelength used and polarization crosstalk when a fiber having a length of 1,000 m is wound on a reel having a diameter of 40 mm is equal to or less than -35 dB/100 m.