There is provided a rubber composition for a tread obtained by compounding (a) 5-40 parts by mass of a softening agent including an oil in which an extraction quantity with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) by IP346 process is controlled to less than 3% by mass and (b) 5-40 parts by mass of a liquid polymer having a viscosity average molecular weight of 45,000-100,000 based on 100 parts by mass of a rubber component, and considerably improving the fracture properties and wear resistance and controlling the lowering of the modulus of elasticity as compared with the case of compounding the conventional high aromatic oil.