All magnets have what is called a magnetic north pole and what is called a magnetic south pole . If a piece of string is tied to the middle of the magnet and the string is held so that the magnet is allowed to hang down on its own , then the north pole of the magnet will turn and point to the Earth 's magnetic north pole . Even though a magnet is said to have a north pole and a south pole , these two poles can not be separated from each other .