A method for producing cellulose ether, comprising at least a step of reacting the alkali cellulose produced by: bringing two or more types of pulps having different alkali metal hydroxide solution absorption rates into contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution to obtain a contact product; and draining the contact product, wherein the highest absorption rate is not more than 4.0 times as fast as the lowest absorption rate; wherein comparative alkali metal hydroxide solution absorption rates can be measured by: (i) cutting a pulp sheet with a cutter to form pulp chips; (ii) bringing these chips into contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution for various periods of time at a constant temperature or for a constant period of time at various temperatures with the same contactor; (iii) draining under the same conditions to form alkali cellulose; (iv) determining a ratio of alkali metal hydroxide in the alkali cellulose to a solid component in the pulp by a titration method; (v) selecting a contact temperature at which and a contact time for which the pulp having the lowest rate of absorption among the pulps produces alkali cellulose having the ratio of 1.00; (vi) comparing the absorption rate of the pulp having the lowest rate of absorption with the other pulps at the selected temperature for the selected time; with an etherifying agent. bringing two or more types of pulps having different alkali metal hydroxide solution absorption rates into contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution to obtain a contact product; and draining the contact product, wherein the highest absorption rate is not more than 4.0 times as fast as the lowest absorption rate; wherein comparative alkali metal hydroxide solution absorption rates can be measured by: (i) cutting a pulp sheet with a cutter to form pulp chips; (ii) bringing these chips into contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution for various periods of time at a constant temperature or for a constant period of time at various temperatures with the same contactor; (iii) draining under the same conditions to form alkali cellulose; (iv) determining a ratio of alkali metal hydroxide in the alkali cellulose to a solid component in the pulp by a titration method; (v) selecting a contact temperature at which and a contact time for which the pulp having the lowest rate of absorption among the pulps produces alkali cellulose having the ratio of 1.00; (vi) comparing the absorption rate of the pulp having the lowest rate of absorption with the other pulps at the selected temperature for the selected time; draining the contact product, wherein the highest absorption rate is not more than 4.0 times as fast as the lowest absorption rate; wherein comparative alkali metal hydroxide solution absorption rates can be measured by: (i) cutting a pulp sheet with a cutter to form pulp chips; (ii) bringing these chips into contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution for various periods of time at a constant temperature or for a constant period of time at various temperatures with the same contactor; (iii) draining under the same conditions to form alkali cellulose; (iv) determining a ratio of alkali metal hydroxide in the alkali cellulose to a solid component in the pulp by a titration method; (v) selecting a contact temperature at which and a contact time for which the pulp having the lowest rate of absorption among the pulps produces alkali cellulose having the ratio of 1.00; (vi) comparing the absorption rate of the pulp having the lowest rate of absorption with the other pulps at the selected temperature for the selected time; (i) cutting a pulp sheet with a cutter to form pulp chips; (ii) bringing these chips into contact with an alkali metal hydroxide solution for various periods of time at a constant temperature or for a constant period of time at various temperatures with the same contactor; (iii) draining under the same conditions to form alkali cellulose; (iv) determining a ratio of alkali metal hydroxide in the alkali cellulose to a solid component in the pulp by a titration method; (v) selecting a contact temperature at which and a contact time for which the pulp having the lowest rate of absorption among the pulps produces alkali cellulose having the ratio of 1.00; (vi) comparing the absorption rate of the pulp having the lowest rate of absorption with the other pulps at the selected temperature for the selected time;