The force between two magnets when they are not in contact is due to the magnetic fields they create. A magnetic field is a region around a magnet where its magnetic force can be detected. When two magnets are placed near each other, their magnetic fields interact with each other, causing the magnets to exert forces on each other.

The strength of the force between two magnets depends on a number of factors, including the strength of the magnets, the distance between them, and the orientation of their magnetic fields. The closer the magnets are to each other, the stronger the force between them will be. The more their magnetic fields are aligned, the stronger the force between them will also be.

The force between two magnets can be either attractive or repulsive. If the north pole of one magnet is facing the south pole of another magnet, the magnets will attract each other. If the north pole of one magnet is facing the north pole of another magnet, the magnets will repel each other.

The magnetic force is a fundamental force of nature, like the electric force and the gravitational force. It is one of the four fundamental interactions that govern the behavior of matter.