The clapper type dc electromagnets are widely used for electromagnetic devices. It is necessary for the optimum design to analyze the dynamic behavior of the electromagnet. A new method to obtain the dynamic behavior of the clapper type electromagnets by the 3-D finite element method taking into account the motion of the armature and the eddy current has been developed. This method makes it possible to analyze the dynamic behavior of any electromagnets having 3-D shape. The validity of the new method is confirmed by experiments.