The invention discloses a sensor for recognizing magnetic media. The sensor is used for recognizing magnetic media such as magnetic security paper, paper currency, check and magnetic cards, and is characterized by comprising one or a plurality of sensing units and an excitation magnet, wherein the excitation magnet provides different excitation magnetic field directions; and the sensing units are used for detecting the component of leakage magnetic fields of the magnetic media magnetized by the excitation magnet along the magnetic field induction field. The sensor can be used for accurately measuring magnetic performance and distribution of the magnetic media. Compared with a universal magnetic-head sensor, the sensor has higher precision, so that the anti-counterfeiting security level can be improved.