An indication method includes: receiving, by a terminal device, configuration information sent by a network device, where the configuration information includes at least two of a subcarrier configuration parameter, a time parameter of a first period, and a total quantity of slots included in the first period; and determining, by the terminal device based on the configuration information, information about a second period within which the terminal device performs data transmission by using a bandwidth part BWP. The network device may notify the terminal device of a plurality of SCSs supported by a cell and period information corresponding to the SCSs. The terminal device may determine information about a period within which data transmission is performed by using the BWP, so that the terminal device transmits data by using the cell.