According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a first magnetic pole, a second magnetic pole, and a magnetic element provided between the first and the second magnetic poles. The magnetic element includes first to fifth magnetic layers, and first to sixth non-magnetic layers. The sixth non-magnetic layer is provided between the fifth magnetic layer and the second magnetic pole. The sixth non-magnetic layer includes at least one selected from the group consisting of Ru, Ir, Ta, Rh, Pd, Pt and W.