An electronic key system includes an on-board device and an electronic key for wireless communication. The on-board device includes: a pattern determining unit sequentially changes and determines a variation pattern of the electromagnetic wave intensity of a measurement signal; a request signal generating unit generating a request signal to which the measurement signal is added; and an LF transmitter sequentially transmitting the request signal so that the variation pattern of the electromagnetic wave intensity of the measurement signal in the request signal is changed by the pattern determining unit. The electronic key includes: an LF receiver receiving the request signal; a measurement unit sequentially measuring the variation pattern; and a key transmitter transmitting a response signal to the on-board device. The on-board device further includes: an on-board device receiver receiving the response signal; and a verifying section establishing verification of the electronic key.