ENCODER

A scale (1) includes a grating pattern (4) arranged in a measurement direction. A detection head (2) can be moved relative to the scale in the measurement direction and outputs an electric signal indicating a result of detection of the pattern. An operation unit (3) calculates a relative displacement of the detection head relative to the scale. The detection head (2) irradiates the scale with light. A light-receiving unit (12) includes a light-receiving element array arranged in the measurement direction and outputs a result of detection of the irradiation light applied to the light-receiving element array as the electric signal. An optical system (11) forms light from the scale into interference fringes on a light-receiving surface of the light-receiving unit by using lens arrays arranged in the measurement direction. A lens array pitch between neighboring lenses of the lens arrays is not equal to an integral multiple of a pitch of the grating pattern.