To provide a drying method for a fiber web solving the problem of a curling caused by the sharp water content gradient in the fiber web without enlarging the equipment and without impairing drying capacity.

The method for drying the fiber web such as a paper web or paperboard web is provided. In this method, because the fiber web (W) is dried in such a manner that substantially one side thereof is dried in a belt drying unit (RC) at least one drying step, a water content gradient is caused in the fiber web (W). This method comprises the following practice. The fiber web (W) is dried by an impingement drying unit (RP) substantially just before and/or substantially just after drying it in the belt drying unit (RC), thereby leveling the above-mentioned water content gradient. In this impingement drying unit (RP), the fiber web(W) is dried from the side opposite to the side to be dried or dried by the belt drying unit (RC).