According to an aspect of the invention, a compression molding method for a cutting insert, in which molding powder filled into a molding space defined by a die, an upper punch, and a lower punch is compression-molded by the upper and lower punches, includes, sliding both the upper and lower punches individually to positions just short of estimated stop positions obtained for design by means of a position controller, and then sliding the punches by means of a load controller so that a predetermined pressure is reached.