A low-cost, compact, high-precision axial force sensor is provided. The axial force sensor includes a pair of parallel pressing plates and a strain gauge sandwiched therebetween. The strain gauge includes a plurality of strain-sensitive resistive elements around its periphery, and is provided with a spacer that transmits a pressing force from the pressing plates to some of the strain-sensitive elements but blocks the pressing force to the rest of the strain-sensitive elements. The output signal of the strain-sensitive elements blocked from the pressing force provide an accurate baseline to compare the output signal of the strain-elements subjected to the pressing force. The spacer has a uniform pattern of open and closed portions. On the strain gauge, the strain-sensitive elements are provided at both the open and closed portions of the spacer.