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Germination is a biological process that depends on adequate water supply to embryo development. Water deficit slows this process and depending on intensity and extent of this deficit may cause seed death. Nevertheless, it has not yet been reported whether seed size influences physiological potential, or tolerance to water stress. This study aimed at assessing the effects of seed size, as well as of water stress on germination of the seeds and on early soybean seedling development. The experiment was composed by seeds of 10 soybean cultivars classified by metallic screens with three sizes of oval holes (S12, S13 and S14) and subjected to three water potentials (0, -0.1, and -0.2 MPa), with four replications. Data on genotypes were grouped as replications and arranged on a factorial 3 x 3 (size x water potential), with 40 replications. Data assessed were: first and final count of germination; length and seedling dry weight; and correlation between length/mass of radicle and hypocotyl. It was concluded that under ideal moisture conditions larger seeds have better physiological quality, producing more vigorous seedlings; but, that under water potential of -0.2 MPa smaller seeds produce larger seedlings; and that the hypocotyl is more influenced by water stress than the radicle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]