A rubber composition for a tire that can reduce rolling resistance is provided. The rubber composition for a tire contains a diene rubber, at least one reinforcing filler selected from the group consisting of silica and carbon black, and at least one sucrose derivative selected from the group consisting of sucrose benzoate and sucrose acetate, wherein the amount of the sucrose derivative is from 1 to 25 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the diene rubber. A pneumatic tire having a rubber part comprising the rubber composition is provided.