A method for manufacturing an absorbent article, the method including: while a lower bandlike member is transported in a transport direction, a process in which a cutting position is determined and an adhesion area is formed on each side of the cutting position of the lower bandlike member in the transport direction; a process in which leg elastic members are placed so that a part of each of the leg elastic members overlaps the adhesion area, the leg elastic members being stretched in a direction having a component parallel to the transport direction; a process in which an upper bandlike member is stacked on and adheres to the lower bandlike member and the leg elastic member on the adhesion area; a process in which the lower bandlike member and the upper bandlike member are folded on the center in the intersecting direction; a process in which a welded section on which the lower bandlike member and the upper bandlike member are to be welded to each other is formed on each side of the cutting position in the transport direction; a process in which and the lower bandlike member, the upper bandlike member and the leg elastic members are cut together on the cutting position, a lower exterior member and an upper exterior member which are shaped in the form of underpants are cut and separated, the leg elastic members which are stretched contract towards the adhesion area from positions at which the leg elastic members are cut, the contraction being performed while the leg elastic members shifting relative to the lower exterior member and the upper exterior member.