<p>This study investigated the effects of different tillage methods on soil physical properties, rice yields and CH₄ emissions in paddy fields, aiming to identify a suitable tillage method that improves soil physical properties, increases rice yield and reduces CH₄ emissions.&#xa0;A two–year field experiments were conducted using four tillage methods with micro–tillage as the control. Soil physical properties at different soil layers, rice yields and CH₄ emissions were measure. The relationships between soil physical properties and rice yields or CH₄ emissions were analyzed.&#xa0;Compared to the control, rotary tillage increased rice yields by 9.9–14.5%, large macroaggregates (A_≥ 2000) at 0–30&#xa0;cm layer by 7.5–9.4% and soil total porosity by 12.2–16.3%, while decreasing the CH₄ emissions by 10.6–34.5%, and soil compaction by 14.8–41.9%. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that rice yield and CH₄ emission were significantly correlated with soil compaction (<i>r</i>=-0.492) and A_≥ 2000 (<i>r</i>=-0.483) at 0–15&#xa0;cm layer, respectively.&#xa0;Rotary tillage improved rice yields by reducing soil compaction, and decreased CH₄ emissions by increasing the proportion of A_≥ 2000. Therefore, it is recommended as an optimal tillage method for enhancing soil physical properties, increasing rice production and reducing CH₄ emissions.</p>