A performance predicting apparatus includes an approximate model storage unit configured to store approximate models each of which is associated with one of categories, and which are used to calculate functional performance based on feature values, a feature value extracting unit configured to extract the feature values from shape data representing a shape of an object, a selection unit configured to select one of the approximate models to be used from the approximate models stored in the approximate model storage unit depending on the feature values extracted by the feature value extracting unit, and a performance calculating unit configured to calculate functional performance based on the feature values extracted by the feature value extracting unit using the approximate model selected by the selection unit.