Provided is a mold manufacturing method that is capable of manufacturing a mold of a complex shape particularly of an optical element with sufficient shape accuracy and within a relatively short time. This mold manufacturing method includes: a step for forming a base made of metal into a first shape through machining; a step for coating the base with a resin layer; a step for forming the resin layer into a second shape; and a step for forming the base into a third shape through dry-etching.