A computer-implemented lead image recognition method for recognizing leads by processing an image captured by a camera of a component provided with a single row or multiple rows of leads of the same size and shape at a regular pitch, the lead image recognition method comprising: waveform analysis processing that performs waveform analysis of a change pattern of brightness along multiple lines set in a vertical, a horizontal, or a diagonal direction of the image so as to identify a region in which the brightness changes cyclically as a lead recognition target region in which there is a possibility of a lead existing, wherein in the waveform analysis processing, the lead recognition target region is identified using a normalized square difference function, an average magnitude difference function, or an average magnitude difference function, which is differentiated and then processed by a normalized square difference function, along the multiple lines to determine lines for which the brightness changes cyclically, which identify a region as being cyclical, wherein y1 and y2 define the Y coordinates representing the start and end of the region identified as being cyclical, respectively and identifying the starting and ending X coordinate of the lead recognition target regions, for which a pitch p has been detected, along said lines by using a standard deviation S(x) of the brightness along the lines given by: S x = 1 p ∑ n = x − p / 2 x + p / 2 T n − T av x 2, wherein T av (x) is the pitch interval average projected brightness T av x = 1 p ∑ m = x − p / 2 x + p / 2 T n and wherein T(x) is the average projection brightness: T x = ∑ y = y 1 y 2 I x y y 2 − y 1, and wherein I(x,y) is the brightness level of the image at coordinates (x,y); and image recognition processing that performs lead image recognition in the lead recognition target region identified by the waveform analysis processing. waveform analysis processing that performs waveform analysis of a change pattern of brightness along multiple lines set in a vertical, a horizontal, or a diagonal direction of the image so as to identify a region in which the brightness changes cyclically as a lead recognition target region in which there is a possibility of a lead existing, wherein in the waveform analysis processing, the lead recognition target region is identified using a normalized square difference function, an average magnitude difference function, or an average magnitude difference function, which is differentiated and then processed by a normalized square difference function, along the multiple lines to determine lines for which the brightness changes cyclically, which identify a region as being cyclical, wherein y1 and y2 define the Y coordinates representing the start and end of the region identified as being cyclical, respectively and identifying the starting and ending X coordinate of the lead recognition target regions, for which a pitch p has been detected, along said lines by using a standard deviation S(x) of the brightness along the lines given by: S x = 1 p ∑ n = x − p / 2 x + p / 2 T n − T av x 2, wherein T av (x) is the pitch interval average projected brightness T av x = 1 p ∑ m = x − p / 2 x + p / 2 T n and wherein T(x) is the average projection brightness: T x = ∑ y = y 1 y 2 I x y y 2 − y 1, and wherein I(x,y) is the brightness level of the image at coordinates (x,y); and image recognition processing that performs lead image recognition in the lead recognition target region identified by the waveform analysis processing.