The invention provides a refrigerant leakage detection method and an air conditioner. The refrigerant leakage detection method comprises the following steps of S1, operating the air conditioner, judging whether a refrigerant is proper or no, if so, executing the step S2, and if not, executing the step S4; S2, judging whether a preset detection triggering condition is met or not, if yes, executingthe step S3, and if not, executing the step S1; S3, performing refrigerant leakage verification judgment, judging whether verification judgment conditions are met or not, if yes, determining refrigerant leakage, and if not, executing the step S3 again; S4, judging whether a high-pressure side leakage judging condition is met or not, if yes, determining that the high-pressure side leaks, and if not, executing the step S5; and S5, judging whether a low-pressure side leakage judging condition is met or not, if so, determining that the low-pressure side leaks, and if not, executing the step S1 again. The refrigerant leakage detection method can improve the effectiveness of refrigerant detection and enhance the safety of a whole air conditioner system; and the method can achieve the comprehensive benefits of accurate judgment, energy conservation and safety.