According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a first magnetic pole, a second magnetic pole, and a magnetic element provided between the first and the second magnetic poles. The magnetic element includes first to fourth magnetic layers, and first to fifth non-magnetic layers. The fourth magnetic layer includes a first element and at least one of Fe, Co or Ni. The first element including at least one selected from the group consisting of Cr, V, Mn, Ti, N and Sc. The fourth non-magnetic layer including at least one selected from the group consisting of Cu, Au, Cr, Al, V and Ag. The fifth non-magnetic layer includes at least one selected from the group consisting of Cu, Au, Cr, Al, V and Ag.