In a magnetic detecting element, second ferromagnetic layers are deposited on respective second antiferromagnetic layers. The magnetization direction of the second ferromagnetic layers is antiparallel to that of first ferromagnetic layers. A static magnetic field generated by a surface magnetic charge at the internal side surfaces of the first ferromagnetic layers is absorbed by the second ferromagnetic layers. Thus, it becomes hard that the static magnetic field from the first ferromagnetic layers enters the central portion of a free magnetic layer. Consequently, the central portion of the free magnetic layer can maintain its single magnetic domain state, and, thus, the hysteresis can be reduced and the Barkhausen noise is suppressed.