{"id":8234156,"date":"2026-10-24T17:27:34","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T17:27:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scn.eu\/?post_type=scn_guide&#038;p=8234156"},"modified":"2026-10-24T17:29:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-24T17:29:31","slug":"absolute-vs-incremental-encoder","status":"publish","type":"scn_guide","link":"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/guides\/absolute-vs-incremental-encoder\/","title":{"rendered":"Absolute vs incremental encoder \u2013 how to choose"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"scn-guide\">\n<h1>Absolute vs incremental encoder \u2013 how to choose<\/h1>\n<p class=\"g-lead\">A rotary encoder tells you how a shaft turns: how fast, in which direction and in what position. This guide explains the difference between incremental and absolute encoders, singleturn and multiturn, interfaces and mechanics.<\/p>\n<div class=\"g-short\"><b class=\"t\">Short answer<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Incremental encoder<\/b> \u2013 gives pulses as the shaft turns. Simple and affordable for speed and relative position, but loses its position when power is lost.<\/li>\n<li><b>Absolute encoder<\/b> \u2013 gives a unique code for every position. Knows where the shaft is at start-up, without homing.<\/li>\n<li><b>Singleturn or multiturn<\/b> \u2013 singleturn tracks position within one revolution, multiturn also counts revolutions.<\/li>\n<li><b>The interface drives the choice<\/b> \u2013 HTL or TTL for pulses, SSI or BiSS for fast position data, CANopen, PROFINET or EtherCAT for networks.<\/li>\n<li><b>Magnetic or optical<\/b> \u2013 magnetic copes best with shock, moisture and dirt, optical gives the highest resolution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2>What is an encoder?<\/h2>\n<p>A rotary encoder sits on a motor shaft, a wheel or a roller and turns the movement into electrical signals. The control system uses them to regulate speed, measure length or position an axis.<\/p>\n<p>There are two main types. An incremental encoder tells you that the shaft has moved and by how much. An absolute encoder tells you where the shaft is. The difference is most obvious when the power goes off.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/scn-guide-pulsgivare-f1-en.webp\" alt=\"Two code discs. The incremental disc has an even pattern of lines and a reference mark. The absolute disc has several tracks that give a unique code for every angular position.\" width=\"1520\" height=\"620\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><figcaption>The incremental encoder counts lines. The absolute encoder reads a unique code for every position.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Incremental or absolute \u2013 how they work<\/h2>\n<h3>Incremental encoder<\/h3>\n<p>An incremental encoder gives a set number of pulses per revolution, for example 1,024. The control system counts the pulses from a reference point. Channels A and B are shifted by a quarter period, 90\u00b0, from each other. From the order of the channels, the controller can tell the direction of rotation, and by counting every edge it gets four times the resolution: 1,024 pulses become 4,096 steps per revolution. Channel Z, the index pulse, comes once per revolution and serves as a reference.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/scn-guide-pulsgivare-f2-en.webp\" alt=\"Signals A, B and Z from an incremental encoder. A and B are square waves shifted 90 degrees from each other. Z gives one pulse per revolution.\" width=\"1520\" height=\"580\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><figcaption>A and B are shifted by 90\u00b0. Their order shows the direction, Z gives one reference per revolution.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The drawback is that the count is lost when power is interrupted, and interference can add or drop pulses. The machine must then move to a reference position before it knows where it is.<\/p>\n<h3>Absolute encoder<\/h3>\n<p>An absolute encoder reads a unique code for every angular position. Resolution is given in bits: 12 bits give 4,096 positions per revolution, 16 bits give 65,536. The position is available immediately at start-up, even if the shaft was turned while the power was off.<\/p>\n<p>A <b>singleturn<\/b> encoder starts over every revolution and is enough when the movement is one turn or less, such as a valve or a rotary table. A <b>multiturn<\/b> encoder also counts revolutions, often 4,096 or more. You need it when a spindle, winch drum or rack makes many turns. Revolutions are counted with gears, with a battery or with a so-called Wiegand wire, which takes its energy from the movement itself and needs no battery.<\/p>\n<h2>Interfaces: HTL, TTL, SSI, BiSS and fieldbuses<\/h2>\n<div class=\"g-tbl\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Interface<\/th>\n<th>Type<\/th>\n<th>Good for<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">HTL (push-pull)<\/td>\n<td>Incremental pulses, 10\u201330 V<\/td>\n<td>PLC inputs and counter cards in 24 V systems, good noise immunity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">TTL (RS422)<\/td>\n<td>Incremental pulses, 5 V differential<\/td>\n<td>Frequency inverters and servo drives, high frequencies<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">SSI<\/td>\n<td>Absolute, serial point-to-point<\/td>\n<td>Fast position data to a PLC or drive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">BiSS C<\/td>\n<td>Absolute, serial, open and bidirectional<\/td>\n<td>Servo motors and precision axes that need speed and diagnostics<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">CANopen, SAE J1939<\/td>\n<td>Fieldbus<\/td>\n<td>Mobile machines with several sensors on one cable<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">PROFINET, EtherCAT, EtherNet\/IP<\/td>\n<td>Industrial Ethernet<\/td>\n<td>Factories where the encoder connects straight into the PLC network<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">IO-Link<\/td>\n<td>Point-to-point via M12<\/td>\n<td>Simple positioning tasks with set-up from the PLC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>Many modern encoders are programmable, so pulse count, output type and counting direction can be set with a tool. That means fewer variants in your spare parts store.<\/p>\n<h2>Shaft or hollow shaft, optical or magnetic<\/h2>\n<p>A <b>solid shaft<\/b> encoder is connected to the machine shaft with a flexible coupling that takes up misalignment. A <b>hollow shaft<\/b> encoder slides straight onto the motor shaft and is held by a torque arm. A hollow shaft saves space and a coupling, while a solid shaft encoder is easy to replace and protects its bearings from movement in the machine shaft.<\/p>\n<p><b>Optical<\/b> encoders read a code disc with light and give very high resolution and accuracy, but are sensitive to condensation, dirt and heavy shock. <b>Magnetic<\/b> encoders read a magnet with a Hall or magnetoresistive sensor. They cope better with vibration, moisture and dirt and are often the first choice for mobile machines and outdoor use.<\/p>\n<h2>Which one should I choose?<\/h2>\n<div class=\"g-tbl\">\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>If you need to \u2026<\/th>\n<th>choose<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">Measure speed or conveyor velocity<\/td>\n<td>Incremental, HTL or TTL<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">Know the position right after a power cut<\/td>\n<td>Absolute multiturn<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">Measure an angle within one revolution<\/td>\n<td>Absolute singleturn<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">Provide feedback to a servo motor<\/td>\n<td>Absolute with BiSS C or SSI<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">Fit an encoder on a mobile machine exposed to weather<\/td>\n<td>Magnetic absolute encoder with CANopen or J1939 and IP67 or higher<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"n\">Cover different pulse counts on different machines<\/td>\n<td>Programmable incremental encoder<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"g-pit\">\n<li><b>Incremental where the position must be kept.<\/b> After a power cut the machine must home again, which is not always possible with a moving load. Choose absolute.<\/li>\n<li><b>The wrong signal level.<\/b> A 5 V TTL encoder gives no reliable signal on a 24 V input, and an HTL encoder can damage a TTL input.<\/li>\n<li><b>A rigid coupling.<\/b> Misalignment that a flexible coupling does not absorb wears out the encoder bearings.<\/li>\n<li><b>Long unshielded cable.<\/b> Interference adds or drops pulses. Use shielded twisted-pair cable and differential signals.<\/li>\n<li><b>Singleturn for several turns.<\/b> The encoder starts over every revolution and cannot tell the turns apart.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Where are encoders used?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Factory and packaging<\/b> \u2013 length measurement on conveyors, cutting, labelling and synchronising rollers.<\/li>\n<li><b>Cranes and lifting<\/b> \u2013 hoist height on winches, slewing angle and position of overhead cranes.<\/li>\n<li><b>Mobile machines<\/b> \u2013 steering angle, boom angle and position of attachments.<\/li>\n<li><b>Energy<\/b> \u2013 blade pitch and yaw in wind turbines, position of solar trackers.<\/li>\n<li><b>Infrastructure<\/b> \u2013 lock gates, movable bridges, stage machinery and gates.<\/li>\n<li><b>Medical technology<\/b> \u2013 positioning of patient tables and X-ray equipment.<\/li>\n<li><b>Defence<\/b> \u2013 rotation of antennas, masts and sensor platforms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Encoders from SCN<\/h2>\n<p>We carry incremental and absolute encoders from Posital, with interfaces such as CANopen, EtherCAT and IO-Link, programmable incremental encoders with HTL or TTL output, and versions with IP68 and IP69K for mobile machines.<\/p>\n<h3>Examples from our range<\/h3>\n<div class=\"g-prod\"><a class=\"g-pc\" href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product\/ucd-ec00b-0016-hets-prm\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/pic_UCD-EC00B-0016-HETS-PRM.jpeg\" alt=\"Posital UCD-EC00B-0016-HETS-PRM Absolute encoder\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><span class=\"g-pb\">Posital<\/span><span class=\"g-pn\">UCD-EC00B-0016-HETS-PRM Absolute encoder<\/span><span class=\"g-pw\">Absolute encoder with EtherCAT for factory automation, IP66\/IP67 and \u221240 to +85 \u00b0C.<\/span><\/a><a class=\"g-pc\" href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product\/ucd-ca01b-1216-d10d-prv\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/UCD-CA01B-1216-D10D-PRV.jpeg\" alt=\"Posital UCD-CA01B-1216-D10D-PRV Absolute encoder\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><span class=\"g-pb\">Posital<\/span><span class=\"g-pn\">UCD-CA01B-1216-D10D-PRV Absolute encoder<\/span><span class=\"g-pw\">Absolute encoder with CANopen for mobile machines, IP68 and IP69K. Keeps its position even when power is lost.<\/span><\/a><a class=\"g-pc\" href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product\/ucd-iph00-xxxxx-0340-2rw\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/UCD-S101B-0013-0340-2RW.png\" alt=\"Posital UCD-IPH00-XXXXX-0340-2RW Incremental rotary encoder\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"><span class=\"g-pb\">Posital<\/span><span class=\"g-pn\">UCD-IPH00-XXXXX-0340-2RW Incremental rotary encoder<\/span><span class=\"g-pw\">Programmable incremental encoder with 1\u201316,384 pulses per revolution and push-pull (HTL) or RS422 (TTL) output.<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"g-links\"><a href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product-category\/products\/sensors\/absolute-encoders\/\">Absolute rotary encoders<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product-category\/products\/sensors\/incremental-encoders\/\">Incremental encoders<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product-category\/products\/sensors\/inclination-sensors\/\">Inclination sensors<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product-category\/products\/network-products\/can-interfaces\/\">CAN interfaces<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/product-category\/products\/sensors\/\">Sensors<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"g-cta\">\n<p>Not sure about type, resolution or interface? Tell us about the shaft and the control system, and our engineers will help you choose \u2013 you get an answer within 24 hours.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/contact\/\">Ask an engineer<\/a><\/div>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<details>\n<summary>What is the difference between an absolute and an incremental encoder?<\/summary>\n<p>An incremental encoder gives pulses counted from a reference and loses its position when power is lost. An absolute encoder gives a unique code for every position and knows where the shaft is at start-up.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What does PPR mean?<\/summary>\n<p>PPR stands for pulses per revolution. With quadrature (4x) decoding of A and B, 1,000 PPR gives 4,000 counts per revolution.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What is the difference between HTL and TTL?<\/summary>\n<p>HTL works at the supply voltage, usually 10\u201330 V, and suits PLC inputs. TTL to RS422 is a differential 5 V signal that suits drives and high frequencies.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>Does an absolute encoder need a battery?<\/summary>\n<p>A singleturn encoder never needs a battery. Multiturn encoders count turns with gears, a battery or a Wiegand wire, and gear and Wiegand designs work without a battery.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<details>\n<summary>What is SSI?<\/summary>\n<p>SSI (Synchronous Serial Interface) is a simple point-to-point interface where the controller sends clock pulses and the encoder replies with its position bit by bit. It is common on absolute encoders.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A rotary encoder tells you how a shaft turns: how fast, in which direction and in what position. This guide explains the difference between incremental and absolute encoders, singleturn and multiturn, interfaces and mechanics.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":8234069,"template":"","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"absolute vs incremental encoder","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Absolute vs incremental encoder: how they differ, singleturn and multiturn, resolution, HTL, TTL, SSI, BiSS and fieldbuses, and which one to choose.","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"hide","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"hide","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","_scn_guide_cats":[696,697],"_scn_guide_sectors":[1011,1012,1037],"_scn_guide_type":"tech","_scn_guide_order":26,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8234156","scn_guide","type-scn_guide","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Absolute vs incremental encoder \u2013 how to choose | SCN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Absolute vs incremental encoder: how they differ, singleturn and multiturn, resolution, HTL, TTL, SSI, BiSS and fieldbuses, and which one to choose.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/guides\/absolute-vs-incremental-encoder\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Absolute vs incremental encoder \u2013 how to choose | SCN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Absolute vs incremental encoder: how they differ, singleturn and multiturn, resolution, HTL, TTL, SSI, BiSS and fieldbuses, and which one to choose.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/en\/guides\/absolute-vs-incremental-encoder\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SCN\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-24T17:29:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/scn.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/scn-guide-pulsgivare-f1-en.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1520\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"620\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scn.eu\\\/en\\\/guides\\\/absolute-vs-incremental-encoder\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scn.eu\\\/en\\\/guides\\\/absolute-vs-incremental-encoder\\\/\",\"name\":\"Absolute vs incremental encoder \u2013 how to choose | SCN\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scn.eu\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scn.eu\\\/en\\\/guides\\\/absolute-vs-incremental-encoder\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scn.eu\\\/en\\\/guides\\\/absolute-vs-incremental-encoder\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scn.eu\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/scn-guide-pulsgivare-f1-en.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-24T17:27:34+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-24T17:29:31+00:00\",\"description\":\"Absolute vs incremental encoder: how they differ, singleturn and multiturn, resolution, HTL, TTL, SSI, BiSS and fieldbuses, and which one to choose.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scn.eu\\\/en\\\/guides\\\/absolute-vs-incremental-encoder\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/scn.eu\\\/en\\\/guides\\\/absolute-vs-incremental-encoder\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scn.eu\\\/en\\\/guides\\\/absolute-vs-incremental-encoder\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scn.eu\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/scn-guide-pulsgivare-f1-en.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/scn.eu\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/scn-guide-pulsgivare-f1-en.webp\",\"width\":1520,\"height\":620,\"caption\":\"Two code discs. 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