Provided is a card reader for: taking in a card in the shorter direction of the card, the card being formed in a substantially rectangular shape; and performing processes such as reading with respect to the magnetic data recorded on the card; wherein it is possible to take in only cards that have magnetic data recorded thereon and that are inserted in the correct direction, and to minimize occurrence of magnetic data read error. A card reader (1) for: taking in a card (2) in the shorter direction of the card (2), the card (2) being formed in a substantially rectangular shape; and reading or recording magnetic data; wherein a magnetism sensor (13) for sensing whether or not magnetic data is recorded on the card (2) is disposed at a card insertion part (4) so that a gap is present with respect to the card (2) inserted from an insertion port (3). In this card reader (1), magnetism sensing directions (V1, V2) of the magnetism sensor (13) are inclined with respect to the direction orthogonal to the direction along which the magnetic data is arranged when viewed from the thickness direction of the card (2) inserted from the insertion port (3).