The invention relates to a magnetic angular or linear sensor including at least one permanent magnet defined in a cylindrical (r, Q & z) or Cartesian (x, y & z) coordinate system and at least two magneto-sensitive elements, in which the magnet can move in relation to said two magneto-sensitive elements. The invention is characterized in that at least one dimension of the magnet varies as a non-constant function and in that the magnetization of the magnets is oriented in a single direction, i.e. x, y or z in the case of a magnet defined in a Cartesian coordinate system or r, Q or z in the case of a magnet defined in a cylindrical coordinate system.