A thin-film magnetic head that the protrusion response of the write head element due to the heat generated from the heating element can be set to the same level as that due to the heat generated from the write coil layer in order to adequately resolve the deficiency in the writing performance during the starting period of writing, is provided. The head comprises: at least one write head element including a magnetic pole layer; and at least one first heating element generating a heat to expand the at least one write head element thermally, the at least one first heating element being contacted with the magnetic pole layer.