How do maglev trains work? Maglev trains use controlled magnetic fields to lift the vehicle, keep it centered in a guideway and propel it forward. By removing normal wheel-on-rail contact during high-speed operation, maglev systems reduce mechanical friction and wear. At very high speeds, however, aerodynamic drag remains a major source of resistance.

The basic system has three jobs: levitation, guidance and propulsion. Different maglev designs accomplish those jobs in different ways, but the underlying engineering relies on electromagnets, permanent or superconducting magnets, feedback controls and linear motors.

Maglev is short for magnetic levitation. This article explains how maglev trains work and compares the two best-known high-speed approaches: electromagnetic suspension (EMS) and electrodynamic suspension (EDS). If you are designing a levitation system, Halbach array or magnetic bearing rather than researching trains, use our Magnets for Magnetic Levitation & Bearings engineering guide.

How Maglev Trains Work in Three Steps

1. Levitation: lifting the train above the guideway

The first job is to create a vertical magnetic force strong enough to support the vehicle. Depending on the maglev design, the system may use magnetic attraction or magnetic repulsion.

Electromagnetic suspension (EMS) uses controlled electromagnets to attract the vehicle toward the guideway. Sensors and control systems continuously regulate the air gap.
Electrodynamic suspension (EDS) typically uses strong onboard magnets—often superconducting magnets—to induce currents in guideway coils. The resulting magnetic fields generate lifting and stabilizing forces.

Japan’s superconducting SCMaglev is an EDS-type system. JR Central explains that onboard superconducting magnets interact with levitation and guidance coils in the guideway, allowing the vehicle to levitate roughly 10 cm above the guideway during high-speed operation.

2. Guidance: keeping the train centered

Levitation alone is not enough. A maglev vehicle also has to remain laterally stable as it travels through curves and reacts to wind and other forces.

Guidance coils or controlled electromagnets generate corrective side forces. If the vehicle shifts toward one side of the guideway, magnetic forces act to move it back toward the center. The exact method depends on the maglev system, but the goal is the same: maintain a controlled clearance without relying on conventional wheel flanges.

3. Propulsion: using a linear motor instead of wheel-driven traction

Maglev trains are propelled by a linear motor. A linear motor can be thought of as a conventional rotating electric motor opened up and stretched along the track.

Sequentially energized coils create a traveling magnetic field along the guideway. That field interacts with magnets on the vehicle, producing alternating attraction and repulsion that pulls and pushes the train forward. By changing the frequency and phase of the guideway’s magnetic field, the control system can accelerate, cruise and decelerate the vehicle.

This is closely related to the same electromagnetic principles used in rotating machines. See our guide to how magnets work in electric motors for the rotating-motor version of the concept.

Types of Maglev Trains: EMS vs. EDS

The two best-known high-speed maglev approaches are electromagnetic suspension (EMS) and electrodynamic suspension (EDS). Both use magnetic forces to support and guide the vehicle, but they create and control those forces differently.

Feature	EMS	EDS
Primary levitation principle	Magnetic attraction	Magnetic repulsion / induced electromagnetic forces
Typical magnets	Controlled electromagnets	Strong onboard magnets, often superconducting
Levitation gap	Generally small	Generally larger
Control	Requires continuous active gap control	Can provide strong self-centering behavior at operating speed, depending on design
Low-speed operation	Can levitate at very low or zero speed	Some EDS designs use wheels at low speed until sufficient magnetic lift is produced

Why Can Maglev Trains Travel So Fast?

Conventional trains rely on wheel-to-rail contact for support and traction. Maglev systems eliminate that normal rolling contact during levitated operation, reducing mechanical wear and removing many wheel-rail limitations.

That does not mean maglev has no resistance. At high speed, aerodynamic drag becomes increasingly important, so vehicle shape, tunnels, pressure waves and energy use remain major engineering considerations.

JR Central recorded a world speed record of 603 km/h (375 mph) for a manned rail vehicle on its Yamanashi test line in 2015. The Shanghai Maglev’s official information lists a design maximum speed of 431 km/h (268 mph) on its 30 km airport demonstration line.

What Magnets Are Used in Maglev Trains?

There is no single “maglev magnet.” The magnetic system depends on the technology.

Electromagnets provide controllable fields and are central to EMS systems and linear-motor propulsion.
Superconducting magnets can generate very strong fields with low electrical resistance in the superconducting coil and are used in Japan’s SCMaglev vehicles.
Permanent magnets can be used in certain magnetic-levitation, actuator and linear-motor designs, although large high-speed train systems generally rely heavily on controlled electromagnetic systems.

For an overview of permanent-magnet families used in motors, sensors and industrial equipment, see Types of Magnets: NdFeB, SmCo, Alnico & Ferrite Compared. For permanent-magnet levitation, Halbach arrays and bearing design, see the Magnetic Levitation & Bearings Design Guide.

Some passive or electrodynamic levitation concepts—most famously Inductrack-style systems—use linear Halbach arrays to concentrate permanent-magnet flux toward the conductive track while suppressing field on the opposite side. See Halbach Arrays Explained for the field physics, or experiment with magnet count and rotation angle in the Interactive Halbach Array Visualizer.

Advantages of Maglev Technology

Very high speed potential: contactless guidance and propulsion remove many wheel-rail constraints.
Reduced mechanical wear: fewer high-speed rolling-contact components can reduce certain maintenance requirements.
Smooth operation: controlled magnetic suspension can provide low vibration compared with conventional wheel-rail contact.
Electric propulsion: maglev vehicles have no direct tailpipe emissions; overall environmental impact depends on electricity generation, infrastructure and operating conditions.

Challenges of Maglev Trains

Dedicated infrastructure: most maglev systems cannot simply operate on conventional railway tracks.
High capital cost: guideways, power electronics, control systems and specialized stations require significant investment.
Aerodynamic energy demand: eliminating wheel contact does not eliminate air resistance, especially at very high speeds.
System complexity: precise control of levitation, guidance, propulsion and safety systems is essential.

Examples of High-Speed Maglev

Shanghai Maglev

The Shanghai Maglev connects Longyang Road with Shanghai Pudong International Airport over a roughly 30 km route. The official operator lists a design maximum speed of 431 km/h.

Japan’s Superconducting Maglev

JR Central’s SCMaglev uses onboard superconducting magnets interacting with guideway propulsion, levitation and guidance coils. The technology achieved 603 km/h in testing and is being developed for the Chuo Shinkansen.

JR Central’s 2025 Integrated Report says running tests with a new Series L0 improved-version middle car began in July 2025 as the company continues refining the superconducting maglev system and developing commercial vehicle specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maglev

What does maglev mean?

Maglev means magnetic levitation. In a maglev transportation system, magnetic forces support and guide the vehicle so it can travel without relying on normal wheel-on-rail contact during levitated operation.

How does magnetic levitation work?

Magnetic levitation works by creating an upward magnetic force that balances the vehicle’s weight while a separate guidance system keeps it stable. In maglev trains, controlled electromagnets, induced currents or superconducting magnet systems provide the lift and guidance.

Do maglev trains use permanent magnets?

Some maglev and linear-motor systems can use permanent magnets, but major high-speed train systems commonly rely on controlled electromagnets or superconducting magnets because the magnetic forces must be precisely managed for levitation, guidance and propulsion.

Do maglev trains touch the track?

During normal levitated high-speed operation, the vehicle does not rely on wheel-to-rail contact. Some systems may use wheels or other support mechanisms at low speeds or when stopped.

What makes a maglev train move forward?

A linear motor creates a traveling magnetic field along the guideway. Magnetic attraction and repulsion between the guideway field and vehicle magnets generate forward thrust.

Are maglev trains frictionless?

No. They eliminate normal wheel-rail rolling contact during levitation, but aerodynamic drag, electromagnetic losses and other forms of resistance still consume energy.

Maglev and the Broader World of Magnetics

Maglev is a useful example of how magnetic fields can produce controlled force without mechanical contact. The same core principles appear in electric motors, sensors, actuators, generators and industrial automation.