The invention discloses a container number identification method which comprises the following steps of, firstly, after acquiring pictures of a container number, searching a frame of a container, calculating the inclination with the frame as a reference line, and intercepting pictures in the frame subjected to correction; secondly, carrying out graying and dynamic binarization on the intercepted pictures, and filtering noise interference; thirdly, scanning and segmenting container number character pictures which satisfy the conditions one by one through a rank scanning method; fourthly, accurately extracting 11-bit container number characters which satisfy the conditions by determining an equipment identifier; and fifthly, extracting character characteristics one by one to finish the identification process, and judging whether the container number is correct by combining a check bit. The invention improves the process of respectively carrying out location, segmentation and identification of the traditional container number identification algorithm, enhances the continuity of a whole system and also has the advantages of rapid identification speed and high accuracy.