A touch input device for use with a display that shows a plurality of items. The touch input device is operated by a user to select an item shown on the display. The touch input device includes a sensor having an operation plane for touching by the user with a finger. The sensor generates a sensor signal indicating contact area of the finger with the operation plane. The operation plane is pressed by the finger when the user selects an item from the display. When an increase rate of the finger contact area over a predetermined time period becomes greater than an increase rate threshold, the touch input device determines that the operation plane of the sensor has been pressed by the user to select an item.