This application discloses a method for configuring a positioning reference signal, a network device, and a terminal. The method includes: transmitting resource configuration information of a positioning reference signal; and transmitting the positioning reference signal based on a resource pattern indicated by the resource configuration information, where the resource configuration information includes at least one parameter item, a value of the parameter item is one of at least two optional values corresponding to the parameter item, and the resource pattern is related to the value of the parameter item.