The present invention provides iron powder for dust cores that has excellent compressibility and low iron loss after formation. In the iron powder for dust cores, Si content is 0.01 mass % or less, apparent density is 3.8 g/cm3 or more, the ratio of iron powder particles with a particle size of 45 μm or less is 10 mass % or less, the ratio of iron powder particles with a particle size of over 180 μm and 250 μm or less is less than 30 mass %, the ratio of iron powder particles with a particle size of over 250 μm is 10 mass % or less, and the Vickers hardness (test force: 0.245 N) of a powder cross-section is 80 Hv or less.