| Color | Dark brown to black |
| Odor | Earthy, musty |
| Texture | Granular, crumbly |
| Moisture content | 30-60% |
| pH | 6.5-8.0 |
| Electrical conductivity (EC) | <2.0 mS/cm |
| Carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratio | 15:1-20:1 |
| Total nitrogen (N) | 1.5-2.5% |
| Available phosphorus (P2O5) | 1.0-2.0% |
| Soluble potassium (K2O) | 1.0-1.5% |
| Calcium (Ca) | 0.5-1.5% |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.3-0.8% |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.2-0.5% |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.1-0.5% |
| Manganese (Mn) | 0.05-0.3% |
| Zinc (Zn) | 0.01-0.1% |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.01-0.05% |
| Boron (B) | 10-50 ppm |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.1-1.0 ppm |
| Chlorine (Cl) | <1000 ppm |
| Sodium (Na) | <1000 ppm |
| Beneficial microorganisms | High populations of beneficial bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes |