PURPOSE: To provide alloy powder, which can provide a permanent magnet having large coercive force and good magnetic characteristic, by specifying particle diameter of the alloy powder for R (rare earth element containing Y)-Fe-B series sintered magnet.

CONSTITUTION: This alloy powder for permanent magnet contains R (one or more kinds among the rare earth elements containing Y), Fe and B and has 3-10μ the average particle diameter, in which the particle having ≥38μ particle diameter does not substantially exist. Each component content in this alloy powder is desirable to be 5.5≤R≤30.4, 2≤Fe≤90, 2≤B≤28 with atm.%. It is desirable to contain one or more kinds among Nd, Pr, Ho and Tb as R and further one or more kinds among La, Sm, Ce, Gd, Er, Eu, Pm, Tm, Dy, Yb and Y. In the particle diameter in the above alloy particle, in the case of ≤3μ, this is easily oxidized and magnetic characteristic is deteriorated, and in the case of ≥10μ, classification of the particle having ≥38μ particle diameter is difficult.