Abstract: The effect of microalloying element Cr on microstructure and mechanical properties of high-carbon steel wire and the reasonable content of Cr in steel were investigated. The results show that the microstructure of steel is optimized with the Cr added,the content of pre-eutectoid ferrite in metallographic structure reduce,the content of sorbite increase,and the tensile strength of wire increase 75~100 MPa. The comprehensive performance of high-carbon steel wire is improved and the reasonable content of Cr is within the range of 0.18%~0.24%.