To provide a rubber composition for a tire that well-balancedly enhances a low-fuel consumption property, a moisture barrier property and durability, and a pneumatic tire using the same.

The rubber composition for a tire comprises silica, bituminous coal and a silane coupling agent of formula (1) (wherein R1 is a group represented by the formula: -O-(R5-O)m-R6 (wherein R5 is a branched/non-branched 1-30C bivalent hydrocarbon group; R6 is a branched/non-branched 1-30C alkyl group, a branched/non-branched 2-30C alkenyl group, a 6-30C aryl group or a 7-30C aralkyl group; and m is 1-30); R2 and R3 are the same group as R1, or a branched/non-branched 1-12C alkyl group or a group represented by the formula: -O-R7 (wherein R7 is a hydrogen atom, a branched/non-branched 1-30C alkyl group, a branched/non-branched 2-30C alkenyl group, a 6-30C aryl group or a 7-30C aralkyl group); and R4 is a branched/non-branched 1-30C alkylene group).