An iris location algorithm based on searching small-scale edge regions is proposed. In this algorithm, after analyzing the gray features and morphologic processing, the binary image can be obtained firstly. Some parts of the inner boundary are found by combining the edge image using sobel operator with the binary image. The regions of search are segmented by using canny operator and geometric characteristics of iris. Then, the proposed five characteristics are used to obtain some parts of the outer boundary. Finally, least square method is used for fitting the boundary. The experimental results show that the proposed iris location algorithm can locate the iris quickly and accurately, and it achieves good location for the iris images of different quality.