The soil texture chart assigns names to various sand, silt, and clay mixtures and defines soil

texture.

Sand
Sand has a particle size ranging from 0.05 to 2.0 millimetres in diameter.
Sand imparts a gritty feel due to the condition of the individual particles.

Silt
Silt has a particle size ranging from 0.002 to 0.05 millimetres in diameter.
Silt has a floury feel when wet and does not ribbon when squeezed between the fingers due to the
condition of the individual particles.

Clay
Clay has a particle size of less than 0.002 millimetres in diameter.
Clay has a negative charge, shows colloidal properties, and is flat and plate-like in shape.
Moist clay is sticky and will stick readily when pressed between the fingers.

Soil Texture
The balanced proportions of sand, silt, and clay particles in a soil material with particle sizes
smaller than two millimeters in diameter are referred to as soil texture.
Soil texture indicates soil infiltration capacity, permeability, degree of aeration and drainage, and
other physical properties.

Soil Texture Classes

The USDA, or United States Department of Agriculture, has recognised the following twelve soil
texture classes:
Sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, sandy clay loam, loam, silt loam, silt, silty clay loam, clay, clay loam,
sandy clay, and silty clay, clay, clay loam, sandy clay, and silty clay.
Each texture class has distinguishing characteristic features that eligible individuals can estimate in
the field.

Distinguishing Characteristics
The following characteristics are based on moist soil.
When wet, sand has a rough texture, does not stain the fingers, and forms a ball.
The loamy sand's texture is gritty, stains the fingers, and creates a fragile ball that cannot be
handled without breaking.
Sandy loam has a gritty texture and forms a ball that may be picked up and handled carefully
without breaking.
Loam has a somewhat gritty texture, but it does not show fingerprints and only forms short ribbons
ranging from 0.25 to 0.50 inches. Loam forms a ball that may be handled without breaking.
Silt loam has a floury texture when damp and is sticky when wet, but it does not ribbon and forms a
ball that may be handled.
Sandy clay loam has a gritty texture but enough clay to form a hard ball and may ribbon into 0.75 to
1-inch-long pieces.
Silty clay loam becomes sticky when wet and ribbons from 1 to 2 inches. A subtle shine is produced
by rubbing silty clay loam with the thumbnail. The fingerprint of silty clay loam is unique.
When clay soil becomes wet, it becomes sticky. When brushed with the thumbnail, clay loam
develops a thin ribbon 1 to 2 inches long with a soft shine. Clay loam leaves an indistinguishable
imprint.
When wet, sandy clay becomes flexible, gritty, and sticky, forming a hard ball and a thin ribbon over
2 inches long.
When wet, silty clay becomes flexible and sticky and lacks a gritty texture. Silty clay makes a hard
ball and easily ribbons to lengths of over 2 inches.
When wet, clay becomes sticky and plastic, forming a thin ribbon over 2 inches long, a high gloss
when rubbed with the thumbnail, and a hard ball resistant to breaking.