A wire rod and steel wire having superior magnetic characteristics and a method for manufacturing same, wherein the wire rod and the steel wire can be used in transformers, vehicles, electric or electronic products, or the like which require low iron loss and high permeability. Provided are a wire rod and steel wire having superior magnetic characteristics and a method for manufacturing same, wherein the wire rod or the steel wire comprises, by wt %, 0.03 to 0.05% of C, 3.0 to 5.0% of Si, 0.1 to 2.0% of Mn, 0.02 to 0.08% of Al, 0.0015 to 0.0030% of N, and the remainder being Fe and unavoidable impurities. The wire rod and steel wire having directional properties may be provided by a general manufacturing process without using expensive alloying elements and without having to add a manufacturing facility.