Means and coefficients of variation of some geotechnical properties of soils were collected from literature to provide ranges of values illustrating such parameters. References used in the study were selected from the results of geotechnical investigations generally involving more than 15 samples. Box plots and stems and leaves representations are reported. The findings show that undrained shear strength and compression index are characterized by very high CV levels while low CV levels are observed for bulk weight and friction angle. Problems related to the often high variability induced by laboratory techniques are considered.