Ni80Fe20 arrays having different lattice geometrical properties and irregularities were prepared via electron beam lithography and self-assembling of polystyrene nanospheres. All the samples were experimentally characterised by magnetic force microscopy and room-temperature magneto-resistance measurements in different configurations. The analysis, supported by micromagnetic simulations, has been focused on the effect of lattice geometry on the magneto-resistance behaviour of these systems. The detailed investigation through micromagnetic simulations of the magnetic domain configuration as a function of the applied field allows a complete understanding of the qualitative and quantitative difference of anisotropic magneto-resistance properties that have been measured in samples with different lattice geometries and in different measurement configurations. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.