Abstract: The present invention provides a steel wire rod of high strength and a steel wire of high strength excellent in fatigue characteristics used for an extra fine steel wire of high strength and high ductility which is used for a steel cord, a belt cord, and the like for reinforcing rubbers and organic materials such as a tire, a belt and a hose, and for a steel wire of high strength which is used for a rope, a PC wire, and the like. The steel of the present invention comprises, based on mass, 0.7 to 1.1% of C, 0.1 to 1.5% of Si, 0.1 to 1.5% of Mn, up to 0.02% of P, up to 0.02% of S and the balance Fe and unavoidable impurities, and contains nonmetallic inclusions at least 80% of which comprise 4 to 60% of CaO+MnO, 22 to 87% of SiO.sub.2 and 0 to 46% of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and have melting points up to 1,500.degree. C.