The bismuth sulfide and methylene blue colorimetric finishes for soil sulfate determination by the Johnson‐Nishita distillation method were examined and compared. Both procedures gave comparable results when applied to soils and soil extracts, but the bismuth method was more rapid and more reliable. Nitrogen flow rate over the range 100–500 ml/min was not critical for the bismuth method, provided appropriate distillation times were employed. However, the release and transfer of hydrogen sulfide in the bismuth method was effected in one‐third of the time required for the méthylène blue finish, largely due to the elimination of a gas‐washing step. Predrying of soil extract samples increased recovery of hydrogen sulfide with the bismuth procedure arid could be used to increase sensitivity. Nitrate interference was observed with the bismuth procedure but attributed to interference during the reduction step. The bismuth procedure can readily be adapted for microdetermination in the 0–40 ppm sulfate‐S range.