In a photoelectric encoder including a scale (14, 16, 18) for making a relative move and an image forming optical system (22, 24), adapted to detect relative displacement of the scale, a transparent protective material (40, 42) having a thickness t equal to or greater than the depth of focus (DOF) of the image forming optical system is disposed on the lattice (15, 17, 19) side surface of the scale. The transparent protective material can be transparent tape 40 bonded to the lattice side surface of the scale or a transparent protective material 42 applied to the lattice side surface of the scale. The surface of the transparent protective material can have hydrophilicity or lipophilicity.