Differences between the magnetic properties of steel and soft iron.
| Soft iron | Steel |
| Easily magnetized | Not easily demagnetized |
| Demagnetized | Magnetized |
| Have low coercive force | Have large coercive force |
| Have high permeability | Low permeability |
| Highly purified, annealed and Properly oriented for magnetization in the easy direction | Impure, strained and contain Grain boundaries |
| Form Temporary magnets | Form permanent magnets |

