In a CPP magnetic sensing element, a free magnetic layer has a laminated ferrimagnetic structure. Since the physical thickness of the free magnetic layer is increased, the product of a change in resistance R and an area A can be improved and read output can be improved. Since the magnetic thickness is decreased, the demagnetizing field of the free magnetic layer is weakened, and it is possible to stably apply a continuous bias with a proper magnitude from the second of two antiferromagnetic layers to the first free magnetic sublayer. Therefore, it is possible to fabricate a magnetic sensing element with satisfactory read sensitivity .