An inspection method for inspecting a board-shaped inspection object with a pattern, the inspection method comprising: an imaging step of capturing an original image of an inspection surface of the inspection object; a digitization step of generating an image with two or three gradation levels by digitizing the original image of the inspection surface captured by the imaging step using a threshold; and a determination step of inspecting the inspection object using the image generated by the digitization step, wherein the pattern of the inspection object is comprised of hole-like dents formed on the inspection surface with a white or high-brightness color; and the determination step includes a pattern determining step of determining whether a ratio of an area occupied by the pattern comprised of the hole-like dents to the entire area is within a predetermined range using the image generated by the digitization step and thereby determining whether the inspection object is acceptable, and a defect determining step of comparing the image generated by the digitization step with a reference image used as a comparison criterion for inspection to determine whether a defect exists on the inspection surface of the inspection object and determine whether the inspection object is acceptable and wherein when the image generated by the digitization step is compared with the reference image in the defect determining step, in the image having two or three gradation levels, a difference in size of an element that has a shape similar to an element of the pattern and whose perimeter extends along a perimeter of the element of the pattern is not determined as a defect. an imaging step of capturing an original image of an inspection surface of the inspection object; a digitization step of generating an image with two or three gradation levels by digitizing the original image of the inspection surface captured by the imaging step using a threshold; and a determination step of inspecting the inspection object using the image generated by the digitization step, wherein the pattern of the inspection object is comprised of hole-like dents formed on the inspection surface with a white or high-brightness color; and the determination step includes a pattern determining step of determining whether a ratio of an area occupied by the pattern comprised of the hole-like dents to the entire area is within a predetermined range using the image generated by the digitization step and thereby determining whether the inspection object is acceptable, and a defect determining step of comparing the image generated by the digitization step with a reference image used as a comparison criterion for inspection to determine whether a defect exists on the inspection surface of the inspection object and determine whether the inspection object is acceptable and wherein a pattern determining step of determining whether a ratio of an area occupied by the pattern comprised of the hole-like dents to the entire area is within a predetermined range using the image generated by the digitization step and thereby determining whether the inspection object is acceptable, and a defect determining step of comparing the image generated by the digitization step with a reference image used as a comparison criterion for inspection to determine whether a defect exists on the inspection surface of the inspection object and determine whether the inspection object is acceptable and wherein when the image generated by the digitization step is compared with the reference image in the defect determining step, in the image having two or three gradation levels, a difference in size of an element that has a shape similar to an element of the pattern and whose perimeter extends along a perimeter of the element of the pattern is not determined as a defect.