In the US entisols make up about 8% of the soil area. Most have an ochric epipedon and few have human-made horizons such as anthropic or agric epipedons.

Entisols are greatly variable with regard to productivity and climate. Some of the most productive soils in the world are entisols developed along alluvial flood plains, while the Sahara and Saudi Arabian desert soils (psamments) are also entisols, these extremely dry climates prevent soil developement because of lack of rain and vegetation. Aquents meanwhile are hampered from development and productivity by frequent and prolonged water saturation.