A method of manufacturing a surface light source includes providing an intermediate structure body that includes a composite board including a supporting member and a wiring layer disposed on the supporting member and includes a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed apart from each other on the wiring layer of the composite board, disposing a plurality of covering members apart from each other to cover upper surfaces and lateral surfaces of the light-emitting elements and portions of the composite board around the light-emitting elements, disposing a light-shielding member such that a gap between the covering members is filled, removing the covering members to form a plurality of hole portions, and disposing a light-transmissive member in the hole portions.