The present invention provides an image encryption method based on two-dimensional Arnold transformation, and belongs to the technical field of encryption. The method comprises: expressing a two-dimensional planar image with a binary function I=f (x, y), performing two-dimensional Arnold transformation on the image f(x,y), and changing a layout of a gray value of an original image by changing pixel coordinates; and taking the original image as a matrix, wherein an image subjected to Arnold transformation is ''messy'', and due to periodicity of Arnold transformation, continuing using Arnold transformation, which can reproduce the image, so as to decrypt the image. According to the method, periodicity of Arnold transformation is used, that is, the original image can be reproduced when iteration is performed to a certain step. Compared with other encryption methods, image encryption and decryption become easier, so that image encryption efficiency is greatly increased.