A high strength, ultra fine steel wire having an excellent workability in stranding comprising a steel having a composition consisting essentially of, in terms of % by weight, 0.85 to 1.10% of C, 0.10 to 0.70% of Si, 0.20 to 0.60% of Mn, 0.10 to 0.60% of Cr and 0.005% or less of Al with the balance Fe and unavoidable impurities and, provided thereon, a brass plating, said steel wire having a diameter of 0.1 to 0.4 mm and a tensile strength of 400 kgf/mm.sup.2 or more, the surface of the brass plating being provided with indentations formed by plastic deformation having a depth of 2 .mu.m or less at intervals of 50 .mu.m or less in a percentage area of indentations of 10 to 80%.