The magnetic tape device includes a TMR head (reproducing head); and a magnetic tape including a magnetic layer including ferromagnetic hexagonal ferrite powder, a binding agent, and fatty acid ester, in which an XRD intensity ratio obtained by an X-ray diffraction analysis of the magnetic layer by using an In-Plane method is 0.5 to 4.0, a vertical direction squareness ratio is 0.65 to 1.00, Ra measured regarding a surface of the magnetic layer is equal to or smaller than 2.0 nm, full widths at half maximum of spacing distribution measured by optical interferometry regarding the surface of the magnetic layer before and after performing a vacuum heating with respect to the magnetic tape are greater than 0 nm and equal to or smaller than 7.0 nm, and a difference between spacings before and after the vacuum heating is greater than 0 nm and equal to or smaller than 8.0 nm.