A honeycomb filter for purifying exhaust gases that is free from occurrence of cracks and coming-off of plugs and is superior in durability upon its use. The honeycomb filter includes a columnar body made of porous ceramics, which has a number of through holes placed in parallel with one another in the length direction with wall portion interposed therebetween, designed so that predetermined of the through holes are filled with plugs at one end of the columnar body, while the through holes not filled with the plugs at the one end are filled with plugs at the other end of the columnar body, and part of or the entire wall portion functions as a plug for collecting particles. A bending strength Fα (MPa) of the honeycomb filter and a length L (mm) of the plug in the length direction of the through hole satisfy the relationship of Fα×L≧30.