N42 vs N52 Magnets: Which Grade Should I Buy?
N52 pulls about 25% harder than an N42 magnet of the same size. Choose N52 when the magnet has to be as small or as thin as possible. If you have a little more room, an N42 magnet one size thicker usually matches or beats N52. Both grades are rated to 80 °C (176 °F), so neither is better for heat.
What the N Number Means
The number after the N is the magnet’s maximum energy product in MGOe (megagauss-oersteds), a measure of how much magnetic energy the material stores. N52 material stores about 52 MGOe and N42 about 42. Pull force rises with the square of the material’s remanence (Br), so N52’s roughly 12% higher Br works out to about 25% more pull. Read more in what the N rating means and our full grade chart.
Real Pull Forces, Same Size, N42 vs N52
These are the listed ratings in our catalog. The gain is remarkably consistent from tiny discs to large cylinders. It’s also what the two grades’ material properties predict, which makes it a useful check on any grade claim; see how to tell if a magnet is really N52.
| Size | N42 | N52 | N52 gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 × 1/16 Inch disc | 1.2 lb | 1.5 lb | +25% |
| 1/4 × 1/8 Inch disc | 2.3 lb | 2.9 lb | +26% |
| 3/8 × 1/8 Inch disc | 4.4 lb | 5.5 lb | +25% |
| 1/2 × 1/16 Inch disc | 3.1 lb | 3.8 lb | +23% |
| 1/2 × 1/8 Inch disc | 6.5 lb | 8.15 lb | +25% |
| 1/2 × 3/16 Inch disc | 9.2 lb | 11.4 lb | +24% |
| 3/4 × 1/8 Inch disc | 9.8 lb | 12.1 lb | +23% |
| 1 × 1/8 Inch disc | 12.6 lb | 15.8 lb | +25% |
| 1/2 × 1/2 Inch cylinder | 14.6 lb | 18.1 lb | +24% |
When to Choose N52
Space Is Tight
Thin pockets, miniatures, jewelry, phone accessories and 3D-printed parts. N52 gives the most pull for the size.
Working Through a Gap
Through paint, fabric or a thin wood face, every bit of field strength helps the magnet reach.
Fewest Magnets
When each magnet means another hole to drill or glue, fewer, stronger magnets save labor.
When N42 Makes More Sense
You Have Room to Go Thicker
A 1/2 × 3/16 Inch N42 disc (9.2 lb) out-pulls a 1/2 × 1/8 Inch N52 (8.15 lb). Size usually beats grade.
You Need Lots of Magnets
For classroom kits, crafts and closures, compare the price per magnet. N42 packs often include more pieces.
It's Going in a Motor or Near Heat
N42 resists demagnetization slightly better (minimum Hci 12 kOe vs 11 kOe for N52). For real heat, choose a high-temperature grade like N42SH.
Compare per Magnet, Not per Pack
Pack sizes differ by grade, so a pack of N52 often has fewer magnets than the N42 pack beside it. Divide the price by the number of magnets, then by the pull force, to see what you’re really paying per pound of holding power.
Common Questions
Does N52 reach farther than N42?
Its field is about 12% stronger at every distance, so it holds a little better across the same gap. Size has a much bigger effect on reach than grade. See how far a magnet’s pull reaches.
Is N52 better for high temperatures?
No. Both are standard N grades rated to 80 °C (176 °F). Above that, use a grade with a letter suffix, such as SH (150 °C) or UH (180 °C). Our grade chart lists every class.
Can I mix N42 and N52 magnets in one project?
Yes. They attract each other normally. Just size each position for the weaker magnet if every spot has to hold the same load.
Is N52 the strongest grade there is?
N52 is the strongest grade we stock, and it’s among the strongest made in volume. Grades above N52 exist but are rare and cost much more for a small gain.