Determining Soil Texture by Feel Method Handout | Montana NRCS
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Determining Soil Texture by Feel Method Handout

Place approximately one tablespoon of soil in palm.  Add water a drop at a time and knead the soil to break down all aggregates.  Soil is at the proper consistency when plastic and mobile, like moist putty.

  1. Does the soil remain in a ball when squeezed?
    1. NO
      1. Is the soil too dry? If yes, start over.
      2. NO, the soil is not too dry.  Is the soil too wet?
      3. YES, the soil is too wet; add dry soil to soak up the water.
      4. NO, the soil is not too wet. Texture equals SAND 1/ 0-10%.
    1. YES
      1. Place ball of soil between thumb and forefinger gently pushing the soil with the thumb, working it upward into a ribbon. Form a ribbon of uniform thickness and width. Allow the ribbon to emerge and extend over the forefinger, breaking from its own weight.
  2. Does the soil form a ribbon?
    1. NO. Texture equals LOAMY SAND 0-15%.
    2. YES
  3. Does the soil make a weak ribbon less than 1 inch long before breaking?
    1. YES.  Excessively wet a small pinch of soil in palm of hand and rub with forefinger.
      1. Does the soil feel very gritty?
        1. YES.  Texture equals SANDY LOAM 0-20%.
        2. NO.  Does the soil feel very smooth?
          1. YES.  Texture equals SILT or SILT LOAM 0-27%.
          2. NO.  Neither grittiness nor smoothness predominates.
            1. Texture equals LOAM 7-27%.
    1. NO.
  4. Does the soil make a medium ribbon 1 inch to 2 inches long before breaking?
    1. YES.  Excessively wet a small pinch of soil in palm of hand and rub with forefinger.
      1. Does the soil feel very gritty?
        1. YES.  Texture equals SANDY CLAY LOAM 20-35%.
        2. NO.  Does the soil feel very smooth?
          1. YES.  Texture equals SILTY CLAY LOAM 27-40%.
          2. NO.  Neither grittiness nor smoothness predominates.
            1. Texture equals CLAY LOAM 27-40%.
    1. NO.
  5. Does the soil make as strong ribbon 2 inches or longer before breaking?
    1. YES.  Excessively wet a small pinch of soil in palm of hand and rub with forefinger.
      1. Does the soil feel very gritty?
        1. YES.  Texture equals SANDY CLAY 35-55%.
        2. NO.  Does the soil feel very smooth?
          1. YES.  Texture equals SILTY CLAY 40-60%.
          2. NO.  Neither grittiness nor smoothness predominates.
            1. Texture equals CLAY 40-100%.

1/ Clay percentage range.

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Last Modified: 12/06/2007