A rotary encoder 100 includes a scale portion 201 in which a first slit array 202 having slits, the number of which is S1, and a second slit array 203 having slits, the number of which is S2, are formed concentrically with respect to a center point 220, and a sensor unit portion 302,304 including a first sensor 311,313 that detects a signal from the first slit array in a first read region 211,215 and a second sensor 312,314 that detects a signal from the second slit array in a second read region 212,216. The rotary encoder meets R1min/R2max≦S1/ S2≦R1max/R2min, where R1max and R1min are respectively the maximum and minimum values of a distance from the center point in the first read region and R2max and R2min are respectively the maximum and minimum values of a distance from the center point in the second read region.