A brake master cylinder-sensor system and method are provided. The system includes a master cylinder, a piston slidably positioned in the master cylinder, a magnet positioned on the piston, and a sensor disposed on the master cylinder. A change of piston linear position causes a linear change in a magnetic field position sensed by the sensor, and a brake control signal proportional to the change of piston linear position is generated. A method of operating a brake master cylinder-sensor system includes applying a brake pedal force, changing a piston linear position within a master cylinder, determining a change in a linear magnetic field position proportional to the change of the piston linear position, and generating a brake control signal based on the change in the linear magnetic field position.