An austenitic stainless steel, which consists of by mass percent, C: not more than 0.02%, Si: not more than 1.5%, Mn: not more than 2%, Cr: 17 to 25%, Ni: 9 to 13%, Cu: more than 0.26% not more than 4%, N: 0.06 to 0.35%, sol. Al: 0.008 to 0.03%. One or more elements selected from Nb, Ti, V, TA, Hf, and Zr in controlled amounts can be included with the balance being Fe and impurities. P, S, Sn, As, Zn, Pb and Sb among the impurities are controlled as P: 0.006 to 0.04%, S: 0.0004 to 0.03%, Sn: 0.001 to 0.1%, As: not more than 0.01%, Zn: not more than 0.01%, Pb: not more than 0.01% and Sb: not more than 0.01%. The amounts of S, P, Sn, As, Zn, Pb and Sb and the amounts of Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, and Ti are further controlled using formulas.