Heavy duty pneumatic tire comprising a tread (4) with a tread surface having side ends (26) formed by side grooves (22) at edge portions of the tread 4, and a belt (12) located inwardly of the tread, wherein the ratio of the width (BW) of the belt (12) to the width (TW) of a tread body (24) is 0.95 - 1.00, the width (GW) of each of the side groove (22) is greater than or equal to 2.0 mm, the width (RW) of each side end (26) is greater than or equal to 2.0 mm, the ratio of the depth (D1) of each side groove (22) to the depth (D) of each main groove (30a) is 0.6 - 1.0, and the ratio of the distance (H) from the vertex (PP) of each side end (26) to the tread surface (28) relative to the depth (D) is greater than or equal to 0.4.