An image coding method includes: obtaining first information and second information from a current signal to be coded, the first information identifying at least one reference picture list used in inter prediction of an image out of a plurality of reference picture lists, the second information identifying at least one reference picture used in the inter prediction of the image out of reference pictures included in the at least one reference picture list identified by the first information; mixing the first information and the second information to generate a mixed signal; selecting a variable-length coding table according to a maximum variation range of the mixed signal; and variable-length coding the mixed signal using the selected variable-length coding table.