Soil Moisture Calculator

The Soil Moisture Calculator determines soil moisture content, field capacity, wilting point, and available water capacity for agricultural and geotechnical applications. Essential for irrigation planning, crop management, and soil analysis.

Modify the values and click the calculate button to use
Calculation Type
Wet Soil Weight g
Dry Soil Weight g
Soil Type
Bulk Density g/cm³
Soil Depth cm
Organic Matter %

Related Moisture Content Calculator | Density Calculator | Evaporation Rate Calculator

Understanding Soil Moisture

Soil moisture is the water content in soil, expressed as either gravimetric (weight basis) or volumetric (volume basis) moisture content. It's crucial for plant growth, irrigation management, and geotechnical engineering.

Types of Soil Moisture Content

Gravimetric Moisture Content (θg)

Volumetric Moisture Content (θv)

Key Soil Moisture Parameters

Field Capacity (FC)

Definition: Maximum water content soil can hold against gravity

Pressure: -33 kPa (-1/3 bar) suction

Time: 2-3 days after saturation

Significance: Upper limit of available water

Permanent Wilting Point (PWP)

Definition: Moisture content at which plants cannot extract water

Pressure: -1500 kPa (-15 bar) suction

Plant Response: Permanent wilting occurs

Significance: Lower limit of available water

Available Water Capacity (AWC)

Definition: Water available for plant uptake

Formula: AWC = FC - PWP

Units: mm/m of soil depth

Use: Irrigation scheduling, crop planning

Soil Texture Effects

Soil Type Field Capacity (%) Wilting Point (%) AWC (mm/m)
Sand 6-12 2-6 40-80
Sandy Loam 10-18 4-8 80-120
Loam 18-26 8-12 120-180
Clay Loam 23-31 11-15 140-200
Clay 27-35 13-20 160-220

Measurement Methods

Gravimetric Method

Electronic Sensors

Agricultural Applications

Irrigation Scheduling

Crop Management

Environmental Factors

Climate Effects

Soil Properties

Geotechnical Applications

Foundation Design

Construction

Water Balance

Inputs

Outputs

Monitoring and Management

Monitoring Systems

Decision Support

Note: Soil moisture calculations provide estimates based on soil properties and measurement methods. Actual field conditions may vary due to spatial variability, measurement errors, and environmental factors. Regular calibration and validation are recommended for accurate results.