A surface inspection method in a surface inspection system which comprises a photodetection unit and a photodetection polarizing angle changing means, comprising the step of receiving a scattered reflection light from a substrate surface where standard particles are coated by changing a photodetection polarizing angle by the photodetection polarizing angle changing means, and the step of performing surface inspection by setting the photodetection polarizing angle to a condition where an S/N ratio of photodetection output is at the highest.