Abstract Evaluating maize ( Zea mays L.) in the field for tolerance to soil acidity is expensive and provides variable results. To identify alternative screening techniques for maize, the present study adapted a pot bioassay already used for other crops. Two experiments were conducted. One included a set of diallel crosses from eight parents and the other a set of 10 open‐pollinated cultivars. These materials were evaluated under field conditions, in nutrient solution, and in pots containing 2 kg of soil. The best results were obtained after growing plants for 14 d in pots containing soils having intermediate stress (45–65% AI saturation). Fresh root weight, total length (or lateral root length), and visual scoring provided the best separation between tolerant and susceptible genotypes, lacked a significant genotype ✕ soil interaction, and were efficient, simple, and rapid measurements. Significant phenotypic correlations (≈ 0.55) were observed between these variables and yield in the field. While efficiently distinguishing tolerant from susceptible genotypes, the pot bioassay could not clearly detect differences in levels of tolerance. This technique should be useful mainly in the early stages of maize breeding. Results suggest that maize possesses several mechanisms for tolerance to soil acidity.