A method for recognition of a handwritten pattern comprises the steps of forming (4) a representation of the handwritten pattern, forming (6) at least two sub-configurations by dividing the representation of the handwritten pattern, and processing the subconfigurations. The step of processing comprises the steps of comparing (8) each subconfiguration with reference configurations, selecting (10) at least one subconfiguration candidate for each subconfiguration among the reference configurations based on said step of comparing, and determining (12) at least one candidate pattern consisting of one selected subconfiguration candidate for each subconfiguration. The method further comprises the steps of comparing (14) the representation of the handwritten pattern to the candidate pattern, and computing (16) a cost function in order to find a closest matching candidate pattern. The cost function is based on the comparing of the representation of the handwritten pattern to the candidate pattern and on the comparing of the subconfigurations to the selected subconfiguration candidates in the candidate pattern.