Embodiments described herein provide magnetic permeability measurements of ferromagnetic wires. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a non-magnetic wire retainer having a circular groove that holds a ferromagnetic wire for measurement. The apparatus further comprises a magnetic field generator proximate to the non-magnetic wire retainer that provides a substantially uniform magnetic field along a circumference of the circular groove. The apparatus further comprises a force sensor mechanically coupled to the magnetic field generator that measures an attractive force between the magnetic field generator and the ferromagnetic wire for determining the magnetic permeability of the ferromagnetic wire.