A developing method includes: forming a liquid pool of a diluted developing solution diluted with pure water in a central portion of a substrate; forming a liquid film of the diluted developing solution on a surface of the substrate by accelerating rotation of the substrate to diffuse the liquid pool of the diluted developing solution on the entire surface of the substrate; and then supplying a developing solution onto the substrate. Supplying a developing solution includes: supplying the developing solution from a developing solution supply nozzle having a liquid contact surface while securing a gap having a predetermined size between the developing solution supply nozzle and the substrate; and moving the developing solution supply nozzle in a radial direction passing through a center of the substrate while forming a liquid pool of the developing solution between the substrate and the liquid contact surface of the developing solution supply nozzle.