A method for manufacturing a wiring substrate includes forming a conductor circuit on an insulating layer, the conductor circuit including a pad, a circuit pattern connected to the pad, and a lead pattern connected to the pad. A solder resist layer is formed on the circuit pattern and on the insulating layer, and a plating resist layer is formed on the lead pattern and on the insulating layer and forming a metal film on a first portion of the conductor circuit not covered by the solder resist layer and not covered by the plating resist layer. The plating resist layer is removed to expose a second portion of the conductor circuit adjacent to the first portion of the conductor circuit and not covered with the metal film, and an etching resist layer is formed on the metal film and on the second portion of the conductor circuit. A third portion of the conductor circuit not covered by the etching resist layer is removed by etching, and the etching resist is removed. The conductor circuit covered with the etching resist layer is a part of the second portion of the conductor circuit exposed by removing the plating resist.