In this paper, a fingerprint recognition algorithm is suggested. The algorithm is developed based on the wavelet transform, and the dominant local orientation which is derived from the coherence and the gradient of Gaussian. By using the wavelet transform, the algorithm does not require conventional preprocessing procedures such as smoothing, binarization, thining and restoration. Computer simulation results show that when the rate of Type II error — Incorrect recognition of two different fingerprints as identical fingerprints — is held at 0.0%, the rate of Type I error — Incorrect recognition of two identical fingerprints as different ones — turns out as 2.5% in real time.