The invention refers to a composition and method of electrolytic tinning in continuous a steel strip or plate with an electrolyte composition comprising the following components (g/l): Tin (in a form of tin sulfamate) 50-90, Sulfamic acid, free 40-100, Sulfates, in a form of SO.sub.4.sup.2-0-15, Nitrogen-bearing block polymer 1-6, said block polymer being a copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide with molecular weight of 3950 to 6450 and "number of ethylene oxide links-to-number of propylene oxide links" ratio of 1.4-1.2:1.0 at initial buildup of required number of links from propylene oxide followed by oxyethylation.