A sealed linear encoder includes a housing adapted for attachment to a first object and a scale unit and scanning unit arranged in a hollow body of the housing, which has a slot extending in a direction of measurement. The scanning unit is mounted on a first end of a pedestal slidably accommodated within the slot and whose second end is adapted for attachment to a second object. The slot is sealed by first and second pairs of sealing lips, which together with the pedestal are configured such that the pedestal intersects the first and second pairs of sealing lips at respective locations that are axially displaced along the direction of measurement such that there is no axial overlap between the first and second pairs of sealing lips at these locations.