Retentivity data for 409 South African soils were obtained from several sources. Water retained at matric potential values of 0,−1,−3,−10,−30,−100,−500 and−1500 kPa was determined from the retentivity curve for each soil core. Retentivity at each matric potential value was related to clay, silt, (or clay plus silt), fine sand and bulk density using multiple regression analysis. For the combined data, R2values ranged from 0,59 at−3 kPa to 0,86 at−1500 kPa. Using data from a single source, R2values ranged from 0,55 at−1 kPa to 0,93 at - 50 kPa.