The detector for a surface measuring device includes: an arm including a contact at a tip end of the arm; a rotation shaft configured to rotatably support the arm; a transmission part having one end connected to the arm at a position on a side opposite to the contact with respect to the rotation shaft; an elastic part having one end connected to another end of the transmission part and configured to generate a measuring force to be applied to the contact; a position adjusting part connected to another end of the elastic part and configured to move a position of the another end of the elastic part in a moving direction; and a tilt adjusting part connected to the arm and including a contact part arranged at position where the contact part can be brought into contact with the transmission part.