| No. | Paramagnetic substance | Ferromagnetic substance |
| i. | It is weakly attracted by a magnet. | It is strongly attracted by a magnet. |
| ii. | When kept in a non-uniform magnetic field, it shows moderate tendency to move from weaker to the stronger part of the field. | When kept in a non-uniform magnetic field, it shows strong tendency to move from weaker to the stronger part of the field. |
| iii. | When kept in an external magnetic field it becomes weakly magnetised, and the direction of magnetic moment acquired will be same as that of the field. | When kept in an external magnetic field it becomes strongly magnetised, and the direction of magnetic moment acquired will be same as that of the field. |
| iv. | When the external magnetic field is removed, the paramagnetic substance loses its magnetism. | When the external magnetic field is removed, the ferromagnetic substance retains magnetism permanently. |
| v. | They cannot be converted into ferromagnetic substances. | When heated above curie temperature, they become paramagnetic substances. |
| vi | Every atom has some magnetic dipole moment but resultant dipole moment is zero. | The resultant magnetic dipole moment is greater. |
| vii | They can be temporarily magnetised in external magnetic field. | They can be permanently magnetised. |
