To provide an electron emitting element capable of converging an emitted electron path and being driven at low voltage, and excellent in responsiveness, a manufacturing method thereof, an electron source, and an image forming device capable of forming a fine image.

A cathode electrode 2, an insulating layer 3 and a gate electrode 4 are laminated on a substrate 1, an opening area 5 extending to the cathode electrode 2 is formed in a part of the gate electrode 4. An electron convergent electrode 6 formed of a conductor is formed on the cathode electrode 2 within the opening area 5 so as to have a shape in which the peripheral part is located upward from the central part. An electron emission layer 7 is formed on the electron convergent electrode 6 by use of metal or the like. The electron emitting element is formed in this way. Two or more electron emitting elements are arranged in a matrix to form the electron source, and an image forming member such as phosphor film is provided thereon, whereby the image forming device is constituted.