A depth picture inter encoding method, a decoding method, an encoder and a decoder, wherein the depth picture inter encoding method comprises: judging whether a depth picture inter encoding mode is a skip mode; setting a first depth picture inter encoding flag bit to an encoding unit if it is judged that the depth picture inter encoding mode is not the skip mode; judging whether the first depth picture inter encoding flag bit is true, encoding merely one residual value to each prediction unit if it is judged that the first depth picture inter encoding flag bit is true. Encoding by adopting a residual encoding manner existing in 3D-HEVC if it is judged that the first depth picture inter encoding flag bit is false.