A magnetic sensor includes a spin valve-type magneto-resistive element, a voltage detection part, a coil, and a current control part, the coil being configured to apply a measuring magnetic field to the spin valve-type magneto-resistive element upon application of a current, the voltage detection part being configured to output a detection signal to the current control part upon detecting an output voltage of the spin valve-type magneto-resistive element reaching a predetermined voltage value, the current control part being configured to control the current to unidirectionally increase or unidirectionally decrease a strength of the measuring magnetic field from an initial value, but upon input of the detection signal, control the current to return the strength of the measuring magnetic field to the initial value, the initial value being a magnetic field strength where the spin valve-type magneto-resistive element reaches saturation magnetization.