According to one embodiment, a magnetic head includes a slider with an air bearing surface, and a head element in the slider. The slider includes a leading step at a leading side end of the air bearing surface, a trailing step at a trailing side end of the air bearing surface and including the head element, a deep groove formed between the leading step and the trailing step and opening to the air bearing surface, a center rail extending from a center portion of the air bearing surface to the trailing step, and a pair of pressure generators disposed between the center rail and each side edge.