Embodiments of the invention provide a magnetic head which assures an improved format efficiency without increase in the magnetic field intensity applied at a read element. In one embodiment, a magnetic head incorporates a write head having a main pole and an auxiliary pole, and a read head having a read element between reader shields. An auxiliary shield as a magnetic body is provided between the main pole and reader shields or on the opposite side of the main pole with the reader shields between the main pole and the auxiliary shield.