A method for producing a silicon nitride filter, which comprises heat-treating in nitrogen a green body comprising from 60 to 95 mass % of metal silicon particles having an average particle diameter of from 10 to 75 .mu.m, wherein particles having particle diameters of from 5 to 100 .mu.m are at least 70 mass % in the entire metal silicon particles, and from 5 to 40 mass % of a pore-forming agent, to convert metal silicon substantially to silicon nitride. More preferably, the green body contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of an inorganic acid salt, an organic acid salt and a hydroxide containing at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Fe and Cu.