The invention provides a multi-layer template 
adaptive matching target tracking method for an 
infrared image, and belongs to the field of 
image processing. The method comprises the steps: obtaining an 
infrared image, and carrying out the 
image enhancement preprocessing of the 
infrared image, and obtaining a first layer of an image feature 
pyramid; manually marking a target position on the 
infrared image, namely giving a target frame of a first frame; extracting images of different 
layers in a target frame on the 
infrared image by using a feature 
pyramid algorithm: carrying out target search on each layer by using an SSDA 
template matching algorithm, frame-selecting the maximum possible position of the target, and recording confidence and target moving position information at the same time; judging the confidence coefficient through an 
error function, and if scale change occurs, determining a new template; if 
morphological transformation occurs, updating the template in time; and if shielding occurs, enlarging the search area. According to the method provided by the invention, the effective features of the target can still be stored when the target is subjected to scale change, form change and shielding, and good tracking is kept.