A plate-like base of a substrate holder has an upper surface perpendicular to a central axis. A supporter is disposed circumferentially around the central part of the base and protrudes upward from the upper surface of the base to support the lower surface of a substrate. A flexible seal is disposed around the entire periphery of the supporter. An upper edge portion of the seal is located above the supporter. When the substrate holder adsorbs a substrate, gas present between the base and the substrate is sucked through a suction port with the upper edge portion of the seal being in contact with the lower surface of the substrate. This allows the substrate to approach the base and come in contact with the supporter while making the seal bend down. As a result, even if there is a warp in a substrate, the substrate can be held suitably.