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Soil Sizes - Some Surprises!
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Relative Size Comparison of Soil Particles

Barrel

Barrel

Sand
(feels gritty)

    (2.00 - 0.05 mm, USDA)
    (2.00 - 0.02 mm, ISSS)

 

 

 

Plate

plate

Silt
(feels floury)

(0.05 - 0.002 mm, USDA) (0.02 - 0.002 mm, ISSS)

 

Coin

dime

Clay
(feels sticky)

(< 0.002 mm, USDA) (< 0.002 mm, ISSS)

Sand is the biggest particle. It measures 2 mm to .05 mm (United States Department of Agriculture [USDA] standard)* in diameter. Silt is the next smallest particle; it measures between .05 mm and .002 mm in diameter. Clay, is the smallest particle; it measures less than .002 mm in diameter.

The International Union of Soil Scientsts (IUSS) standard for sand and silt size is slightly different. It is: sand: 2mm - .02mm, silt: .02mm - .002mm and clay at less than .002mm in diameter.

 

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Last Updated: September 20, 2001

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