A soot sensor and method for detecting soot is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a sensing element for a soot sensor is disclosed herein, the sensing element having a pair of peripheral edge sensing electrodes each having a portion disposed on a peripheral edge of a non-conductive substrate of the sensing element; a first pair of side sensing electrodes disposed on a first side of the sensing element, the first side having a first area partially bounded by the peripheral edge, wherein a resistance between the pair of peripheral edge sensing electrodes decreases as soot accumulates on portions of the pair of peripheral edge sensing electrodes and a resistance between the first pair of side sensing electrodes decreases as soot accumulates on portions of the first pair of side sensing electrodes.