A method for extracting nucleic acid comprising: adsorbing nucleic acid to a nucleic acid-adsorptive solid carrier by contacting a sample solution containing nucleic acid with the nucleic acid-adsorptive solid carrier; washing the nucleic acid-adsorptive solid carrier by contacting a washing solution with the nucleic acid-adsorptive solid carrier, while the nucleic acid is adsorbed to the nucleic acid-adsorptive solid carrier; and desorbing the nucleic acid from the nucleic acid-adsorptive solid carrier by contacting a recovering solution with the nucleic acid-adsorptive solid carrier, wherein at least one of a time where the washing solution is dispensed, and allowed to stand; and a time where the recovering solution is dispensed and allowed to stand is controlled to a predetermined time.