This meter can measure both moisture content, acidity and light intensity. Insert the meter for ¾ into the soil. The meter of pH says alkaline (alkaline= alkali containing) and acidic (acidic). If the meter is at 3.5 it means the soil is very acidic. If the meter reads 7 the soil is pH neutral. The further below pH 7 the more acidic the soil is. The moisture meter shows dry and wet. 1 means the soil is very dry and 10 means the soil is very wet. The further below 10 the drier the soil is. The light meter shows dark and light. Light is measured in lux. At 0 lux it is very dark and at 2000 lux it is very light. The further below 2000 lux the darker the place is. With the button below the meter you can set what you want to measure.