A misfire detection method is provided, which method makes it possible to accurately detect the occurrence/absence of misfire by eliminating a detection error in misfire detection. This error is caused by a vibrational increase or decrease of the rotational changing rate of a crankshaft after a misfire state occurs. A processor, which receives pulse outputs from a crank angle sensor, calculates in sequence angular accelerations D.omega..sub.n-2, D.omega..sub.n-1, D.omega..sub.n, and D.omega..sub.n+1 in crank angle areas which correspond to a preceding cylinder, two cylinders checked for misfire, and a succeeding cylinder, respectively. If the values D.omega..sub.n-1 and D.omega..sub.n n significantly decrease in comparison with the values D.omega..sub.n-2 and D.omega..sub.n-1, respectively, then it is tentatively determined that misfire has occurred in both cylinders checked. Then If the value D.omega..sub.n+1 significantly increases compared to the value D.omega..sub.n, then the restoration to the normal combustion state is confirmed, and the occurrence of misfire in the two cylinders checked is definitely determined.