A method for compression molding a cylindrical tablet is presented, the method being capable of preventing the occurrence of cracks and the breakage of core punches. The method for compression molding a cylindrical tablet is achieved by using a rotary powder compression molding machine provided with a die and upper and lower punches fitted to a rotary table and a core punch penetrating the punch end of a lower punch. The compression molding method being characterized by using the core punch in which the difference between the smallest diameter of the core punch at the protion for forming the center opening of the cylindrical tablet and the reference diameter of the portion in design is within 0.04 mm.