Maize (Zea mays L.) leaf is the main organ for photosynthesis. The area of leaves (especially the ear-leaf and the two leaves above and below the ear-leaf) plays a vital role in dry matter accumulation and grain yield. Therefore, genetic information on leaf area has a theoretical significance for breeding maize with high yield. In this study, a genetic linkage map composing of 184 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers was constructed based on an F8 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population, which was derived from a cross between 478 and W312. The parents showed a significant difference in leaf area. The map covers 2084.1 cM with an average interval of 11.3 cM. QTLs for leaf area were identified under two-year's field experiments. Totally 7 QTLs were detected in two years, among which 4 QTLs were detected in 2006 and 3 QTLs in 2007. A major QTL on chromosome 2 (between umc1542 and umc1518) were detected in both 2006 and 2007. It explains 12.5% and 17.3% of the phenotypic variation, respectively. This locus can be used as a potental marker for improving maize leaf growth through marker assisted selection (MAS) approach.