Soil compaction negatively impacts soil properties, especially physical properties, thus reducing soil productivity and plant growth. This study aimed to investigate the role of polyacrylamide (PAM) (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 g L-1 ) in improving the properties of compacted soil (0, 2.5, and 4.5 kg rammer) and maize growth in clayey and clay loam soils. Some soil properties deteriorated (e.g., bulk density, porosity, mean weight diameter, geometric weight diameter, structure, penetration resistance, and hydraulic conduc- tivity) due to soil compaction, especially at a compaction strength of 4.5 kg rammer in both tested soils. Soil compaction also led to reduced maize growth (maize shoot and root parameters). On the contrary, soil properties and maize growth parameters were im- proved with the PAM application, especially at a rate of 0.5 g L-1 . This treatment also achieved an increase in root parameters and biomass yield by 27% compared to the compacted soil treatment. In addition, the growth parameters of maize roots also improved due to the decrease of penetration resistance and bulk density, and the increase in mean weight diameter, geometric weight diameter, and porosity. According to these results, PAM application has a positive role in improving the properties of compacted soil and plant growth