Magnetic encoder

A magnetic encoder comprising:

• a plurality of scale coils arranged in a measuring direction in a predetermined pattern, the scale coils having a plurality of first scale coils arranged in the measuring direction at first cyclic intervals, a plurality of second scale coils arranged in the measuring direction at second cyclic intervals that are other than integral multiples of the first cyclic interval, and a plurality of connecting wires, each of which has two conductors placed side by side in close proximity to each other, and connects each of said first scale coils and a corresponding one of second scale coils so as to form one loop together with said first scale coil and said second scale coil;
• an excitation coil for exciting said scale coils;
• a detection coil, disposed in such a way as to be able to move in the measuring direction with respect to said scale coils, for detecting a magnetic flux caused by said excited scale coils;
• and
• a computing portion for calculating an amount of relative displacement of said scale coils and said detection coil from change in the detected magnetic flux,
• wherein said connecting wires have a nearly equal length.