An optical-encoded force sensor is disclosed. The optical-encoded force sensor includes a cantilever probe having a probe tip, a set of reflective phase gratings and multiple nano-photonic displacement sensors. The reflective phase gratings are mechanically coupled to the cantilever probe, and the nano-photonic displacement sensors are mechanically coupled to the reflective phase gratings. In response to a load being applied to the probe tip, the reflective phase gratings can be compressed such that a diffraction order of the reflective phase gratings changes according to the force of the applied load.