Soil survey, or Soil mapping, is the process of classifying soil types and other soil properties in a given area and geocoding that information.

Soil studies apply the principles of soil science and draw heavily on geomorphology, theories of soil formation, physical geography, and the analysis of vegetation and land use patterns. Primary data for soil study is acquired through field sampling and remote sensing. Remote sensing primarily uses aerial photography, but LiDAR and other digital techniques are becoming increasingly popular. In the past, a soil scientist carried printed copies of aerial photographs, topographic maps, and cartographic keys into the field. Today, an increasing number of soil scientists carry a rugged computer and GPS with them into the field. The computer can be loaded with digital aerial photography, LiDAR, surveying, soil geodatabases, mapping keys, and more.

The term soil survey can also be used as a noun to describe published results. Nowadays, soil studies are no longer published in book format; They are published on the web and can be accessed through NRCS Web Soil Survey, where a person can create a custom soil survey. This allows rapid flow of the latest soil information to the user. In the past, it could take years to publish a soil study on paper. Currently, it only takes a few minutes for changes to become public. The most current soil survey data is made available to high-level GIS users such as professional consulting firms and universities.

Typical information in a published county soil study includes the following:[1]​.

Farmers and ranchers can use the information contained in a soil study to determine whether a certain type of soil is suitable for crops or livestock and what type of soil management might be necessary. An architect or engineer could use the engineering properties of a soil to determine if it is suitable for a certain type of construction. A homeowner can even use the information to maintain or build their garden, yard or home.

Soil survey information can be used to predict or estimate the potential and limitations of soils for many specific uses. A soil survey includes an important part of the information used to develop viable plans for land management. The information must be interpreted so that it can be used by professional planners and others. Predictions based on soil studies serve as a basis for making judgments about land use and management for areas ranging from small tracts to multi-million-acre regions. However, these predictions must be evaluated alongside economic, social and environmental considerations before they can be used to make valid recommendations on land use and management.[2]​.