Derivative calculation is a basic method used in data processing and interpretation of potential fields,but the instability of the result restricts the application of higher-order derivative in practical data.Thus,this paper proposes an iterative method for higher derivative calculation of potential fields to resolve the problem of instability.The authors added a lowpass filter which contained the derivative order number and derivative operator to the higher derivative operator,and used the iterative method to perform successive approximation.On such a basis,the authors deduced the recursive formula of the iterative method of higher-order derivative.In addition,the authors proved the convergence of the iterative method and made a comparative analysis on filtering characteristics of derivative operator by using different methods. In model test and application,the comparative analysis of the results of the iterative method and conventional method for higher-order derivative indicates that the iterative method has advantages of stronger stability and higher calculation accuracy.