A method for forming a multilayer coating film, comprising sequentially applying a first colored paint (X), a second colored paint (Y), and a clear paint (Z) to a substrate, and heating the three layers of the obtained multilayer coating film separately or simultaneously to cure these layers. The first colored coating film has a lightness L* within the range of 30 to 60, the second colored coating film has a light transmittance at a wavelength of 400 nm or more and 700 nm or less within the range of 15% or more and less than 30%, and |h(X)−h(S)|, which is a difference between a hue angle h in the L*C*h color space diagram of the first colored coating film (h(X)) and a hue angle h in the L*C*h color space diagram of the multilayer coating film (h(S)), is within the range of 0 to 30.