A baked flux of high basicity for submerged arc welding which has a chemical composition suitable for use in universal combination with various types of welding wires in welding low alloying steels. The baked flux reduces the oxygen content and diffusible hydrogen content of the weld metal to form a weld metal having a high toughness, enables forming regular beads without causing weld defects such as lack of fusion and slag inclusion, and facilitates welding work. The performance of baked fluxes is described in comparison with that of the conventional baked fluxes.