In order to achieve appropriate light distribution using light distribution characteristics resulting from diffraction while improving light extraction efficiency using a diffraction effect, an LED element provided with: a substrate in which periodic depressions or projections are formed on a front surface; a semiconductor laminated part that is formed on the front surface of the sapphire substrate, includes a light-emitting layer, and is formed of a group-III nitride semiconductor; and a reflecting part that reflects at least a part of light emitted from the light-emitting layer toward the front surface of the substrate, the LED element obtaining a diffraction effect of light emitted from the light-emitting layer at an interface between the substrate and the semiconductor laminated part, wherein a relation of 1/2×λ≦P≦16/9×λ is satisfied, where a period of the depressions or the projections is P and a peak wavelength of the light emitted from the light-emitting layer is λ.