A magnetic encoder comprising: a magnetic field generating member having different magnetic poles magnetized alternately in a moving direction; a plurality of magnetic sensors (12a, 12b, 12c) arranged spaced apart from one another in a direction parallel to the moving direction, the magnetic sensors (12a, 12b, 12c) being not in contact with the magnetic field generating member, wherein the magnetic sensors (12a, 12b, 12c) have different phase positions relative to the magnetic poles of the magnetic field generating member; and a plurality of channels (20, 21) provided for each of the magnetic sensors (12a, 12b, 12c), each channel (20, 21) including a magnetic detection element (18, 19) having an electrical characteristic varying depending on an external magnetic field from the magnetic field generating member, wherein the magnetic field generating member enables a phase signal to be generated from each of the magnetic sensors (12a, 12b, 12c), the phase signals being out of phase, and enables a high resolution signal to be generated based on outputs of the channels (20, 21) such that the high resolution signal includes a plurality of pulses within a wavelength of each phase signal characterized in that each of the plurality of channels (20, 21) is a bridge circuit comprising four magnetic detection elements (18a-18d, 19a-19d), each of the magnetic sensors (12a, 12b, 12c) includes a first output terminal from which an output of any of the channels (20, 21) is taken as the phase signal, and a second output terminal (25, 26) from which a medium resolution signal is taken, the medium resolution signal being obtained by processing the outputs of the channels (20, 21) through a logic circuit, the medium resolution signal having pulse intervals greater than those of the high resolution signal, wherein the medium resolution signals from the second output terminals (25, 26) are output to an open collector or an open drain to generate the high resolution signal, and wherein second output terminals (25, 26) of the magnetic sensors (12a, 12b, 12c) are connected to constitute an external output terminal configured to output the high resolution signal. a magnetic field generating member having different magnetic poles magnetized alternately in a moving direction; a plurality of magnetic sensors (12a, 12b, 12c) arranged spaced apart from one another in a direction parallel to the moving direction, the magnetic sensors (12a, 12b, 12c) being not in contact with the magnetic field generating member, wherein the magnetic sensors (12a, 12b, 12c) have different phase positions relative to the magnetic poles of the magnetic field generating member; and a plurality of channels (20, 21) provided for each of the magnetic sensors (12a, 12b, 12c), each channel (20, 21) including a magnetic detection element (18, 19) having an electrical characteristic varying depending on an external magnetic field from the magnetic field generating member, wherein the magnetic field generating member enables a phase signal to be generated from each of the magnetic sensors (12a, 12b, 12c), the phase signals being out of phase, and enables a high resolution signal to be generated based on outputs of the channels (20, 21) such that the high resolution signal includes a plurality of pulses within a wavelength of each phase signal characterized in that each of the plurality of channels (20, 21) is a bridge circuit comprising four magnetic detection elements (18a-18d, 19a-19d), each of the magnetic sensors (12a, 12b, 12c) includes a first output terminal from which an output of any of the channels (20, 21) is taken as the phase signal, and a second output terminal (25, 26) from which a medium resolution signal is taken, the medium resolution signal being obtained by processing the outputs of the channels (20, 21) through a logic circuit, the medium resolution signal having pulse intervals greater than those of the high resolution signal, a first output terminal from which an output of any of the channels (20, 21) is taken as the phase signal, and a second output terminal (25, 26) from which a medium resolution signal is taken, the medium resolution signal being obtained by processing the outputs of the channels (20, 21) through a logic circuit, the medium resolution signal having pulse intervals greater than those of the high resolution signal, wherein the medium resolution signals from the second output terminals (25, 26) are output to an open collector or an open drain to generate the high resolution signal, and wherein second output terminals (25, 26) of the magnetic sensors (12a, 12b, 12c) are connected to constitute an external output terminal configured to output the high resolution signal.