A magnetic sensing element has pinned magnetic layers disposed on the two sides of a free magnetic layer in the track width direction with nonmagnetic conductive layers therebetween, and an electric current flows through these layers in parallel to the surfaces. The back end of the free magnetic layer in the track width direction extends in parallel to the track width direction. The back ends of the nonmagnetic conductive layers are coincident with the reference line drawn by extending the back end of the free magnetic layer. At least part of the back ends of the pinned magnetic layers is coincident with the reference line. Each pinned magnetic layer is shaped so that the region near the nonmagnetic conductive layer and the free magnetic layer has a smaller length in the height direction to achieve higher current density.