Entisols are soils of recent origin. The central concept is soils developed in unconsolidated parent material with usually no genetic horizons except an A horizon. All soils that do not fit into one of the other 11 orders are Entisols. Thus, they are characterized by great diversity, both in environmental setting and land use.

Many Entisols are found in steep, rocky settings. However, Entisols of large river valleys and associated shore deposits provide cropland and habitat for millions of people worldwide.

Globally Entisols are extensive, occupying ~16% of the Earth's ice-free land area. Only Inceptisols are more extensive. In the US, Entisols occupy ~12.3% of the land area.

Enttisols are divided into 5 suborders: Aquents, Arents, Psamments, Fluvents, and Orthents. Click here for more information about these suborders. Click here to view a map of their distribution in the US.