An electric power steering apparatus comprising: an electric actuator for generating a steering assist force for a steering mechanism of a vehicle; and a control means for controlling the steering assist force, which is generated by the electric actuator, in accordance with steering of a steering wheel by a driver, characterized in that the control means comprises a rotating assist force computing unit for computing an assist force in a rotating direction of the steering wheel in accordance with a steering state of the steering wheel, a returning assist force computing unit for computing a returning assist force, which is the steering assist force in a direction opposite to the rotating direction, in accordance with the steering state of the steering wheel, and a summing unit for adding up the computed assist force in the rotating direction and the computed returning assist force, wherein if a vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a first speed, the returning assist force computing unit increases the returning assist force to a first torque in accordance with an increase in a steering angle of the steering wheel, and if the vehicle speed is higher than the first speed, the returning assist force computing unit increases the returning assist force to a second torque, which is lower than the first torque, in accordance with an increase in the steering angle of the steering wheel, wherein if the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the first speed, the returning assist force computing unit increases the returning assist force at a first inclination, and if the vehicle speed is higher than the first speed, the returning assist force computing unit increases the returning assist force at a second inclination which is greater than the first inclination. an electric actuator for generating a steering assist force for a steering mechanism of a vehicle; and a control means for controlling the steering assist force, which is generated by the electric actuator, in accordance with steering of a steering wheel by a driver, characterized in that the control means comprises a rotating assist force computing unit for computing an assist force in a rotating direction of the steering wheel in accordance with a steering state of the steering wheel, a returning assist force computing unit for computing a returning assist force, which is the steering assist force in a direction opposite to the rotating direction, in accordance with the steering state of the steering wheel, and a summing unit for adding up the computed assist force in the rotating direction and the computed returning assist force, wherein if a vehicle speed is equal to or lower than a first speed, the returning assist force computing unit increases the returning assist force to a first torque in accordance with an increase in a steering angle of the steering wheel, and if the vehicle speed is higher than the first speed, the returning assist force computing unit increases the returning assist force to a second torque, which is lower than the first torque, in accordance with an increase in the steering angle of the steering wheel, wherein if the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the first speed, the returning assist force computing unit increases the returning assist force at a first inclination, and if the vehicle speed is higher than the first speed, the returning assist force computing unit increases the returning assist force at a second inclination which is greater than the first inclination.