A study was conducted to assess the feasibility of using an inexpensive water quality meter for rapid measurement of electrical conductivity (EC) of purple soils and determining fertility levels with EC. A total of 78 purple soil samples from the top layer (0-20 cm) were collected. With a soil-to-water ratio of 1:2.5, the equivalent ECs, displayed in the form of equivalent total dissolved solids (ETDS), were measured using a water quality meter. The ECs of each soil sample were measured with a laboratory EC meter under the same soil-water ratio. Simultaneously, seven fertility indicators, including pH, organic matter, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, water-soluble calcium, and water-soluble magnesium, were determined. And the comprehensive fertility level of purple soils was evaluated based on these seven fertility indicators. The results revealed that the water quality meter exhibited good stability and accuracy. The ETDS obtained by the water quality meter had extremely significant positive correlations (P<0.01) with soil fertility indicators such as available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, water-soluble calcium, and water-soluble magnesium. It could be inferred that the ETDS reflected the abundance and shortage of the soil nutrients to a certain extent. Besides, there was a close correlation between the ETDS and the comprehensive soil fertility index, allowing for direct characterization of soil fertility levels based on the ETDS value. Consequently, when the ETDS obtained by a water quality meter (soil-to-water ratio of 1:2.5) ≥ 250 mg·L-1, it means that the fertility level of the purple soils is high; an ETDS value of 200~250 mg·L-1 indicates a relatively high fertility level; an ETDS value of 100~200 mg·L-1 suggests a medium fertility level; an ETDS value of 50~100 mg·L-1 indicates a lower fertility level; while the ETDS value < 50 mg·L-1 indicates a very low fertility level. However, when the ETDS value exceeds 400 mg·L-1, caution is advised due to potential excessive soil salt content from overfertilization or other factors. Therefore, the fertility level of purple soil can be characterized based on rapid EC measurements using a water quality meter, providing a new technical means for rapid assessment of soil fertility levels.