Using finite element simulation analysis, different wire rope structures with the same diameter and damage models were created for analyzing the principle of magnetic flux leakage (MFL) wire rope inspection. As a result, different wire rope modelling structures result in different distributions of the internal magnetic field within the wire rope as well as the leakage magnetic field at defects. Therefore, it is important to establish a reliable wire rope topology when studying the leakage magnetic field pattern around wires and defects.