To provide a hole pattern search method in an image and an inspection device capable of detecting a hole with high accuracy while shortening processing time.SOLUTION: A hole pattern search method in an image comprises the steps of: extracting a plurality of contour line position candidates that are a plurality of contour position candidates through which a contour line of a hole pattern passes from an image in which the hole pattern is formed; creating a distance map that defines, for each pixel in an area containing the plurality of contour position candidates, for each direction in a plurality of directions, a distance from each contour line position candidate of the plurality of contour line position candidates to each pixel lined up in a target direction; extracting, using each distance map created for each direction, a central pixel candidate of the hole pattern; and searching for and outputting a group of contour line position candidates satisfying a predetermined condition from the plurality of contour line position candidates as a plurality of contour line positions through which the contour line of the hole pattern passes, starting from a center pixel candidate.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5