The spatial characteristics of potentially useful retention (PUR) in Polish arable soils have been presented. It was found that the values ranged from 2.1 to 27.2% vol. in relation to soil units. The highest differentiation of PUR occurred in the sub- soil, and the lowest in the arable soil layer. Poland can be divided into two structural units with respect to potentially useful retention. The first of them includes Highlands, Foothills and the Karpaty and the Sudety Mountains where the highest PUR values are predomi- nant; and the second – the Polish Lowlands and Lake Districts, which are characterised by medium PUR values.