The invention relates to the technical field of image processing, and provides a rapid defogging method and system for a single image. The method comprises the following step: carrying out minimum value filtering on an inputted fogged image I(x), calculating to obtain an initial dark primary color image M(x), calculating an atmospheric transmission function t(x) according to the calculated initial dark primary color image M(x), combining a projection method to calculate an atmospheric light value A, and recovering a fog-free image J(x) according to an atmospheric scattering module of the fogged image and the calculated parameters of the atmospheric light value A and atmospheric transmissivity. Therefore, the fogged image is rapidly defogged, the details of the defogging effect are clear, the color is real and natural, the method is extensively applicable, the balance between the recovery quality and the recovery speed of the image is guaranteed, and the method can be applied to an occasion operating in real time.