Apparatus and associated methods relate to a preloaded force sensor, the preloaded force being greater than a force threshold separating a non-linear response region of sensor operation from a substantially linear response region of sensor operation. In an illustrative embodiment, the total applied force includes the preloaded force and an externally-applied force, the preloaded force being predetermined such that electrical signal response is substantially linear for positive externally-applied forces which when added to the preload force do not exceed the maximum force. In some embodiments, the externally-applied force may be transferred to a force-sensing die via a force-transfer member. In an exemplary embodiment, a spring having a predetermined spring coefficient may apply the predetermined preload force to the force-transfer member. In an exemplary embodiment, externally-applied positive forces may be simply calibrated using gain and offset corrections.