A cleaner-less image forming method includes forming an electrostatic latent image on a electrostatic latent image carrying member; developing the electrostatic latent image with a developer comprising a toner and a carrier to form a toner image; and transferring the toner image. The carrier has a median of an arithmetic average height distribution of from 0.45 to 0.65 μm, and the toner includes an external additive and has an average circularity of 0.975 or more.