Neodymium Magnetization Directions
The magnetization direction tells you which faces are the north and south poles. Axially magnetized discs, cylinders and rings have their poles on the flat faces. Diametrically magnetized ones have poles on the curved sides. Blocks are magnetized through the thickness, which is always the last dimension listed. A magnet holds hardest when a pole face touches the steel or opposite pole.
In the diagrams below, red is the north pole and gray is the south pole. Blue arrows show the magnetization direction.
Disc and Cylinder Magnets
Axially magnetized disc
North on one flat face, south on the other.
Diametrically magnetized disc
North on one curved side, south on the other.
Axially magnetized cylinder
Poles on the two flat ends.
Examples: 1/2 × 1/8 Inch N42 Disc, Axial and 1/4 × 1/2 Inch N52 Cylinder, Diametric. Diametric magnets are used for rotary sensors, spinning shafts and magnetic couplings. Shop Diametric Magnets.
Block Magnets
Block magnetized through thickness
North on the large top face.
Bar magnetized through length
Poles on the small end faces.
Block sizes are listed as length × width × thickness, and the thickness is the magnetization direction. A 3/4 × 1/2 × 1/4 Inch Block is magnetized through the 1/4 inch dimension, with poles on the two large faces. A 1/4 × 1/4 × 1 Inch Bar is magnetized through its 1 inch length, with poles on the small ends.
Ring Magnets
Axially magnetized ring
North on one flat face.
Diametrically magnetized ring
North on one curved side.
Most rings, including our 1/2 × 1/4 × 1/8 Inch N52 Ring, are axially magnetized: north on one flat face, south on the other.
Sphere Magnets
Sphere magnet
North and south on opposite points of the surface.
Sphere magnets have one north point and one opposite south point. They roll into chains and shapes on their own. Shop Spheres.
Arc Magnets
Arc magnetized through thickness
North on the outer curved face.
Arc magnetized through circumference
Poles on the two end faces.
Arcs are used in motors and generators. Through-thickness arcs can be made with north on the outer face or the inner face, so motor rotors can alternate poles. Arc magnets are available as custom orders.
Which Way Should My Magnet Face?
Mount the magnet so a pole face touches the steel or meets the opposite pole of another magnet. An axial disc stuck to steel by its curved edge holds only a fraction of its rated pull.