A method for producing chlorine by oxidizing hydrogen chloride with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst satisfies the following conditions (i) and (ii): (i) the BET specific surface area is from 1 to 250 m2/g; and (ii) the value of H/D, wherein H is the half width of the peak of a pore distribution curve as determined by a mercury intrusion method; and D is the average pore diameter, is from 0.6 to 1.5.