The coupling capacitance of the wiring portions of a thermal type flow rate measuring apparatus is reduced so as to prevent a drop in the response characteristics. A detection element of the thermal type flow rate measuring apparatus includes a planar substrate made of silicon, ceramic, or the like, in which a diaphragm is formed. On the surface of the diaphragm, there are disposed a heat-generating resistor as a heat-generating element that is heated to a predetermined temperature difference from the temperature of air flow to be measured, a heat-generating element temperature-detecting resistor for detecting the temperature of the heat-generating resistor, and temperature-detecting resistors disposed on both sides of the heat-generating resistor. The detection element also includes wiring portions which have connecting terminals electrically connected to the heat-generating resistor and a wiring pattern electrically connected with the surface of the planar substrate.