An encoder according to an example of the present disclosure includes a first reception unit configured to receive a position information request signal for requesting position information on an object to be detected, a position information generation unit configured to generate the position information at a position information generation timing after a predetermined delay time elapses from when the position information request signal is received, and a first transmission unit configured to transmit the position information to the outside via serial communication. The first transmission unit is configured to transmit, at least once, position information generation timing information representing the predetermined delay time to the outside via serial communication.