Recently, controlled auto ignition(CAI) in gasoline engines are drawing more attentions due to its extremely low level of NOx emissions and potentials in lowering the fuel consumption rate. The one of the key techniques for realizing CAI combustion in engines is the control of valve system. Since the valve linkage system with higher complexity, or even earn-less valve systems, such as electro-hydraulic and electro-magnetic system, are adopted in CAI engines, it is not easy to estimate the valve lift profile from earn profiles. Therefore new measurement techniques for valve lift in CAI engines have been tried and tested. In this paper, hole type valve lift sensor was developed and tested to check the applicability in CAI engines. The valve lifts could be obtained from the sensor signal, which depends on the distance from the sensor to magnet attached to valve. Various engine speeds, ranging from 2,000 to 6,000 rpm, and valve lifts, maximum up to 9.7 mm, were tested. It was found that the sensor output for valve lift had accuracy of 98% in comparison with the basic specifications of valve lift through improvements of sensor driving circuit.