A rotary encoder for measuring absolute rotation around an axis of the rotary encoder, comprising: a magnetised element comprising first and second surfaces at an angle to one another; a first magnetic track provided on the first surface and a second magnetic track provided on the second surface, wherein the first and second magnetic tracks subtend an angle θ around the axis of the rotary encoder, wherein each magnetic track comprises a number of magnetic pole pairs, a magnetic pole pair being formed of two poles defining regions of opposite magnetic polarization, wherein the number of magnetic pole pairs in each track are different and have a greatest common factor of one; and first and second magnetic sensor arrangements, the first magnetic sensor arrangement arranged to detect a magnetic field of the first magnetic track and the second magnetic sensor arrangement arranged to detect a magnetic field of the second magnetic track, wherein the magnetic sensor arrangements are rotatably coupled to the magnetised element around the axis of the rotary encoder.