abstract: The primary objective of this monograph is a review of methods used in the determination of particle size distribution of soils. The broad spectrum of methods under analysis comprises, among other, the following:
- sensory method (fingertip method) - permitting preliminary estimation of the particle size distribution based on analysis of the behaviour of soil rubbed between fingers in dry state and formed by fingers in wet state,
- sieve methods - used primarily for the separation and determination of the content of coarse fractions (sand and silt),
- sedimentation methods, the realization of which is based on the Stoke's Law and that comprise, among others:
a) areometric method - in Poland most frequently used under the name of the Casagrande method in Prószyński's modification,
b) pipette method - a method highly popular worldwide, considered to be the most accurate application among the sedimentation methods,
c) methods based on the application of gamma and X-ray radiation and the photosedimentation method - methods the require specialised equipment and are relatively less frequently used in practice,
- sieve-sedimentation methods - combining the sieve methods (used for the determination of coarser fractions) and the sedimentation methods (for the determination of finer fractions),
- methods that can be termed instrumental methods, including e.g.:
a) laser diffraction method - currently more and more frequently used in soil science laboratories as a routine method for the determination of particle size distribution,
b) photon correlation spectroscopy method - used for particle size distribution with relation to very fine particles (up to 6 mm).

An important element of the monograph is the presentation of soil sample preparation for measurements of particle size distribution. The preparation process includes such elements as, among others, removal of dissolved salts, organic matter, carbonates, iron oxides, and silica. The final and also very important stage is the dispersion of the sample - chemical of physical. Additionally, the monograph presents classifications related to the particular particle size fractions and classifications of soils based on the particle size fractions defined earlier.