This detection device comprises a coil section (1A-2B) and a rod section (6) which is capable of linear displacement relative to the coil section. The rod section has a magnetic substance portion (6a) changing reluctance of a magnetic circuit passing through the coil section in accordance with the linear displacement and a conductive substance portion provided in part of the rod section where the reluctance is caused to increase relatively in such a manner that an eddy current path will be formed relative to flux. By this arrangement, in places where reluctance increases due to absence of the magnetic substance, reluctance is caused to further increase by the eddy current loss produced by presence of the conductive substance portion whereby the secondary side induced voltage level is further attenuated and the accuracy of detection can be improved. The rod section may be so constructed as to produce only the reluctance change due to the conductive substance portion. This detection device is applicable to detection of a piston rod position of a fluid powered cylinder. <IMAGE>
