A soft magnetic film comprising an FeCo alloy containing noble metals such as Pr and Rh. This soft magnetic film has a saturation magnetic flux density Bs of at least 2.0 and high corrosion resistance. This soft magnetic film may be included in a thin-film magnetic head. A lower magnetic pole layer or an upper magnetic pole layer of the thin-film magnetic head has a composition represented by the formula Fe.sub.XCo.sub.Y.alpha..sub.Z, wherein .alpha. is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Pd, Pt, Ru, and Ir, and wherein the ratio X/Y by mass percent of Fe to Co is in the range of 2 to 5, the .alpha. content Z is in the range of 0.5 to 18 mass percent, and X+Y+Z=100 mass percent.