PURPOSE: To obtain a card reader which performs the data processing of read signals from respective sensors to select an effective data string and can cope with expansion and contraction of cards by arranging sensors into a two-line zigzag.

CONSTITUTION: Two-line sensors 3A and 3B are arranged into zigzag on card running path 4A. Card 1 having punch holes 2 is sent on running path 4A; and when punch holes 2 reach the upper part of sensors 3A and 3B, data on the card is read by data read clocks 5A and 5B. Read outputs of sensors 3A and 3B are made into the same column data by correcting the distance between sensors and are compared with each other. As the result, the sensor output having the larger number of data presence "1" signals is used as correct data. By this invention, cards can be read correctly even if slippage of card 1 on running path 4A, expansion of card 1 dependent upon a temperature, etc., are generated.