The magnetization reversal in the chains of submicron square- and disk-shaped Permalloy dots with lateral size of 800 nm, thickness of 50 nm and variable inter dot distance was investigated by using the magneto-optical Kerr effect technique, magnetic force microscopy and micromagnetic modeling. We have found that the particle shape strongly affects the characteristic switching fields of well-separated dots, and has almost no influence on strength of inter dot interaction in chains of magnetostatically coupled elements. © 2003 American Institute of Physics.