To provide a copper alloy wire for a metallic container for storing semiconductors which has excellent heat resistance, electrical conductivity (heat dissipation characteristics) and cold forgeability.

The copper alloy wire for a metallic container for storing semiconductors is a copper alloy wire having a composition consisting of, by mass, 0.2 to 1.1% Cr and the balance Cu with inevitable impurities or a copper alloy wire having a composition consisting of, by mass, 0.2 to 1.1% Cr, either or both of 0.1 to 1.0% Sn and 0.1 to 1.5% Zn and the balance Cu with inevitable impurities and is characterized in that: maximum elongation is 10%; electrical conductivity is 50% IACS; and hardness when heating is applied at 400C for 1 hr after cold forging is 135 Hv. This copper alloy wire is cut to a prescribed length, cold forged into a discoid body and further worked into a dish-like metallic container 1.