Electromagnetic diaphragm pump is a kind of widely applied diaphragm pump that has promising sealing performance, simple structure and low power loss. Planar pole electromagnet is a significant component of the electromagnetic diaphragm pump. However, the sharply changing displacement-force characteristics of the planar pole electromagnet do not match the constant load characteristics of the electromagnetic diaphragm pump. Herein, an electromagnet with variable pole area is put forward. A theoretical relationship between structural parameters, the Ampere turns and the electromagnetic force of the electromagnet with variable pole area is determined by analyzing the equivalent magnetic circuit of the electromagnet with variable pole area. The experimental results imply that the initial electromagnetic force of the electromagnet with variable pole area is 32.51% larger than the planar pole electromagnet, the engaging electromagnetic force of the electromagnet with variable pole area is 22.3% smaller than the planar pole electromagnet and the displacement-force characteristics of the electromagnet with variable pole area match the constant load characteristics of the electromagnetic diaphragm pump.