PURPOSE: To improve the accuracy and productivity of a rolled product by rolling actually a material to be rolled at the central zone of a roll barrel part, and forming the side end zones of the roll into stepped shapes which are kept out of participating in the rolling.

CONSTITUTION: In a stepped roll having different diameters, a material to be rolled is rolled at the central zone lR part, having roll diameter RC, of a roll barrel length LR. At that time, work rolls 1, 2 are constituted so that an equation RE-RC≤h (h; the prescribed thickness of a material to be rolled at the exit side) is satisfied. In this way, the deflections of the axes of work rolls 1, 2 are reduced, and excellent results are obtained in the crown and shape of the material, and also the meandering of material is prevented.