An industrially highly useful CNT separation method is provided whereby metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs can be efficiently separated and purified in large quantities in a short time period from CNTs containing these carbon nanotubes, using inexpensive equipment and in simple steps, and whereby metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs can be separated at low cost. The CNT separation method includes adding a CNT dispersion to a powder-charged separation vessel to selectively adsorb the semiconducting CNTs to the powder, and eluting the semiconducting CNTs adsorbed to the powder after collecting the metallic CNTs.