There is provided a coating method which can apply a coating solution uniformly onto a substrate surface while reducing the amount of the coating solution supplied. The coating method for applying a coating solution onto a wafer includes the steps of: supplying a solvent for the coating solution onto the wafer to form an annular liquid film of the solvent in a peripheral area of the wafer; supplying the coating solution to the center of the wafer while rotating the wafer at a first rotational speed (time t1-t2); and allowing the coating solution to spread on the wafer by rotating the wafer at a second rotational speed which is higher than the first rotational speed (time t4-t5). The supply of the solvent is continued until just before the coating solution comes into contact with the liquid film of the solvent (time t0-t3).