Occasionally, we’ll check our customer service email and find this query: “Do you have any huge rare earth magnets?”

It’s an interesting question. Rare Earth magnets are made from elements that are (as the name suggests) relatively rare. Between the challenges in sourcing the material and logistical challenges of actually manufacturing a Rare Earth magnet, it’s unusual that you would ever encounter one that was genuinely huge. 

Instead, even a large Rare Earth magnet is generally small enough to fit in your hand—but they’re still strong enough to lift hundreds of pounds at once. 

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at huge Rare Earth magnets, while exploring what makes them so strong and what options are available on the market today. 

Table of Contents

What Is A Rare Earth Magnet?

What Are the Strongest Rare Earth Magnets?

Does the Size of A Rare Earth Magnet Matter?

How Big Can Rare Earth Magnets Become?

Options For Huge Rare Earth Magnets

What Is A Rare Earth Magnet?

A rare earth magnet is a magnet that’s made from the Rare Earth group of elements on the Periodic Table. The most common Rare Earth magnets are made from Neodymium-Iron-Boron or Samarium Cobalt. 

What Are the Strongest Rare Earth Magnets?

In general, Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnets are the strongest. However, at elevated temperatures (of approximately 150°C and above), the Samarium Cobalt types can be stronger than the Neodymium-Iron-Boron types.

Does the Size of A Rare Earth Magnet Matter?

Yes, but size isn’t the only factor that determines a magnet’s strength. While larger rare earth magnets generally have greater magnetic force, their power is also influenced by material composition, magnet grade, and shape.

Key Factors That Affect Magnet Strength

Three of the biggest factors that influence the strength of huge rare earth magnets: 

  1. Material Composition – Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) magnets are the strongest type of permanent magnets, regardless of size. Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) magnets, while slightly weaker, perform better at high temperatures.
  2. Magnet Grade – Neodymium magnets are graded based on strength, from N35 (weaker) to N52 (strongest available commercially). A small N52 magnet can be stronger than a much larger N35 magnet.
  3. Magnet Shape – The shape of the magnet affects its magnetic field distribution. For example, a disc magnet may have a more concentrated pulling force, while a bar magnet distributes its force over a larger area.

When Does Size Matter?

Here are a few variables to consider when it comes to magnet size:

  1. If you need more surface area for contact, a larger magnet may be better for applications like industrial holding, securing heavy objects, or retrieval magnets.
  2. If you're working with tight spaces but need strong force, a high-grade neodymium magnet in a smaller size might be the best solution.
  3. If temperature resistance is important, larger Samarium Cobalt magnets may outperform Neodymium magnets in high-heat environments.

In short, size does matter—but not as much as material and magnet grade. A well-chosen rare earth magnet, even a small one, can generate an incredible amount of force.

How Big Can Rare Earth Magnets Become?

Rare earth magnets are known for their exceptional strength-to-size ratio, but when it comes to their actual dimensions, there are limitations. Unlike traditional magnets, which can be manufactured in large blocks or sheets, rare earth magnets—especially neodymium—are typically produced in more compact sizes due to material constraints, safety concerns, and cost considerations.

For commercial and consumer use, the largest rare earth magnets typically measure a few inches across but can exert thousands of pounds of pulling force. Even at these sizes, handling them requires extreme caution due to the risk of injury and the potential to damage surrounding objects.

Options For Huge Rare Earth Magnets

We love magnets, and we love seeing their incredible strength and applications. For general consumer and commercial purposes, Rare Earth magnets are only manufactured to certain sizes. 

So, even though they may be “huge,” it’s a relative scale. 

If you’re looking for huge Rare Earth magnets, here are some of your best options (despite the fact that they can still fit in the palm of your hand):

Option 1 - 4" x 1.5" Disc - Neodymium Magnet

Size: 4”x1.5”

Material: Neodymium with Nickel coating

Pull Strength: 587 pounds

Common Uses: 

  • Heavy-duty industrial applications
  • Magnetic separation in manufacturing
  • DIY projects requiring ultra-strong adhesion
  • Magnetic clamps and work-holding solutions

Order the 4”x1.5” Neodymium Disc Magnet now!

Option 2 - 4" x 2" Disc - Neodymium Magnet

Size: 4”x2”

Material: Neodymium with Nickel coating

Pull Strength: 783.3 pounds

Common Uses: 

  • High-strength holding and lifting applications
  • Magnetic couplings for mechanical systems
  • Research and experimental physics setups
  • Strong magnetic locks for secure fastening

 

Order the 4”x2” Neodymium Disc Magnet now!

Option 3 - 1,000-lb Retrieval Fishing Magnet

Size: 4.17”x1.58”

Material: Neodymium with Zinc coating

Pull Strength: 1,000 pounds

Common Uses: 

  • Magnet fishing – retrieving lost metal objects from water
  • Industrial retrieval – recovering tools and hardware from hard-to-reach places
  • Treasure hunting – pulling up historical artifacts, old coins, and relics
  • Heavy-duty lifting – handling large ferrous objects securely

Order the 1,000-lb Retrieval Fishing Magnet now!

Option 4 - 200-lb Retrieval Fishing Magnet

Size: 2.76”x1.18”

Material: Neodymium with Zinc coating

Pull Strength: 200 pounds

Common Uses: 

  • Casual magnet fishing – great for beginners
  • Retrieving small metal objects from ponds, lakes, and wells
  • Finding lost keys, tools, or bolts in garages, workspaces, or outdoors
  • Scavenging for scrap metal in rivers and docks

Order the 200-lb Retrieval Fishing Magnet now!

Find Even More Magnets

While huge rare earth magnets are fun and exciting, they’re not a perfect fit for everyone. Check out our full inventory of magnets to find the right magnets for your application. 

If you need help or have questions, contact us! And to keep up with future articles and receive exclusive discounts, join our newsletter list. 

 

Safety Warning: Magnets can be dangerous, and they don’t need to be large to be powerful. Neodymium magnets, especially, must be handled with care to avoid personal injury and damage to the magnets. Fingers and other body parts can get severely pinched between two attracting magnets. Bones can be broken by larger magnets. Visit our Magnet Safety page to learn more.