A method for recognizing the layout pattern of radiation images comprises the steps of preparing two-valued masks, each composed of a two-valued signal representing a layout pattern for radiation images which are to be stored on a stimulable phosphor sheet, and obtaining a preliminary read-out image signal by carrying out preliminary read out on a stimulable phosphor sheet on which radiation images have been stored. The layout pattern of the radiation images is recognized by converting the preliminary read-out image signal into a two-valued image signal, calculating rating values, which represent the degree of pattern matching between the two-valued image signal and the two-valued masks, finding the highest rating value that represents the highest degree of pattern matching among the rating values, and comparing the highest rating value with a predetermined value representing a predetermined degree of pattern matching.